Rome has long been called the “Eternal City”. He received this title back in the 1st century AD. By that time, the city was already quite old, but it could not be called aging: it was growing, rebuilt and settling down. Rome changed over time, but remained Rome. Centuries passed, eras changed, states arose and disappeared, but Rome stood, absorbing all the changes and innovations.

Today this city resembles an avid traveler’s chest of drawers, where everything is mixed up: antiquity and modernity, baroque grandeur and the bad taste of our time, priceless and depreciated.

The city on seven hills is so full of attractions that it is sometimes difficult to choose. where to go And what to see.

Visited Rome

You can combine several Roman attractions into one trip around the city and even create a themed route. Most of the most famous places in this city are not very far from each other.

I will try to offer you several routes for exploring the Eternal City on your own. Let's say you have three days to explore Rome. To get started you need to do two things:

- first, is to get a city map,

- second, get used to the idea that even a month is not enough to thoroughly study Rome.

The map will help you navigate the interweaving of Roman streets in the historical center. The routes I offer are for independent walking. Sometimes some sections of the route can be traveled by public transport. On these itineraries, you'll get to know Rome in a way that you wouldn't on a group tour or a tour bus ride. After all, my routes are also thematic. So,

Day 1. Rome ancient

It’s logical to start getting acquainted with Rome from the beginning - from Ancient Rome. The main ancient Roman attractions are located very close to each other, but it is best to spend a whole day exploring them. There will be a lot of impressions.

Ancient Rome - Forum and ruins

From 8:30 am to 7:00 pm (the ticket office stops selling tickets one hour before closing) open to the public Palatine Hill, Roman Forum And Coliseum- the center of Ancient Rome. There is only one ticket there, it’s worth it 16 euros and is valid for two days. This means that today you can see, for example, the Palatine and the Forum, and tomorrow go to the Colosseum. It’s best to come early; at nine in the morning there are already long lines at the box office. Several cash registers: at the Colosseum,at the exit from the Roman Forum and on Via di San Gregorio, this is behind the Arch of Constantine, at the entrance to the Palatine. By the way, this is the most convenient place to buy a ticket (there are always fewer people in line there) and start the excursion.

Palatine Hill

First things first, you need to go to Palatine Hill. This is where Rome began. It is quiet here, in the hot summer in the shade of the trees it is even savingly cool and, unlike modern Rome, it is not so crowded. Surprisingly, fairly large groups of tourists do not create crowds. People wander along the paths among the ruins of aqueducts, palaces and temples.

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Unfortunately, it is impossible to find the ruins of the houses of the first settlers. The Palatine has been actively developed over the centuries. Since ancient times this has been the city center - the most prestigious area. Among the excavations, archaeologists found the site of the supposed home of Romulus, the legendary founder of the city. You will be able to see the houses of residents from the times of imperial Rome, the remains of the temples of Republican Rome. The main place on the Palatine is occupied by the skeletons of palaces, baths and stadiums of Rome during the imperial era. The scale of the buildings is amazing - the Romans did not consider gigantomania a disease. From some sites the Palatine is clearly visible Great Circus(Circo Massimo), a giant hippodrome that could accommodate more than 200 thousand spectators.

Temples on this hill were adjacent to houses, houses to palaces, they were separated by gardens and parks. Such a city garden still remains on the Palatine. Now the trees growing here are quite young, they are not more than two thousand years old. But the garden is the same place. From everywhere: from the platforms of ancient palaces, from the Palatine squares - modern Rome is visible. It surrounds the Palatine Hill on all sides. The two Romes are very similar to each other: in both, eras and times are mixed. But Palatine's Rome is quiet and wise. He looks at his heir from the heights of the hill and age and good-naturedly and grumblingly rustles the leaves of the trees and scatters pine needles on the ground.

In the very center of the Palatine Hill, a white building rises among the ruins. This Palatine Museum - Antiquarium. There are a large number of statues, mosaics and bas-reliefs found on the Palatine during excavations on display here.

Roman forum

From the Palatine you will descend to Roman forum. The fairly vast area between the Palatine and Capitoline hills was once a swampy valley. Under King Lucius Tarquinius Prisca (this is the 6th century BC), the swamps were drained and the valley began to be built up. If residential buildings were built on the hills, then this lowland was given over to public life. Temples, triumphal arches, libraries, basilicas and public buildings were erected here, the market was noisy here, and there was a place for comitia - open areas for public meetings. The forum was simply filled with statues of politicians and heroes. At one time, the triumphs of Roman generals took place along the streets of the Forum. In short, the forum was full of life.

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Walking along the paths among the ruins of temples, past the remaining columns, you will see how dense the buildings were, which means how important this place was for the Romans. One forum flowed into another; there were several of them in this valley.

Running next to the Roman Forum Street of the Imperial Forums(Via dei Fori Imperiali) was built by order of Mussolini in the 20th century. It simply divides the entire forum space into two parts. And for more than two thousand years this whole place was single and large.

Despite the proximity of the Imperial Forum Street to the forum, the forum itself is also quite quiet. Ancient stones inspire awe and respect for the history of the city and country.

It's best to leave the Roman Forum at the Colosseum and Arch of Constantine. We will return to the Colosseum later. Now you need to walk along Via di San Gregorio and turn left. Our path lies in. Along the shady street of the Baths of Caracalla (Via delle Terme di Caracalla) you will reach there in 7-10 minutes.

The huge complex of buildings (it covers an area of ​​11 hectares) was a public bath in the 3rd century AD. The emperors of Ancient Rome competed with each other to see who would leave a more grandiose legacy for their descendants. Caracalla managed to build baths, which at one time were considered a wonder of the world on a par with the Egyptian pyramids. Here people not only washed, here they met, talked, and resolved important issues. In the thermal baths, in addition to the baths and pools themselves, gymnasiums and a library were built.

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There was a stadium next to the baths; one could watch the competition without leaving the baths. The design of the baths itself was quite complex and innovative for Rome at that time. A grandiose system of aqueducts supplied water to the thermal baths, which was heated here and supplied to the necessary halls and pools. The Baths of Caracalla were stunning not only in size and structure, they were incredibly beautiful in architecture and decoration. Today, in different places on the territory of the complex you will see examples of marble wall decoration, floor mosaics, and the remains of columns. Many statues, exhibited in the halls of the best museums in Rome, once decorated the interiors of the Baths of Caracalla. A wonderful park was laid out around the Baths, where visitors strolled before and after taking baths.

With the onset of the Middle Ages, the Baths of Caracalla were abandoned; at some time, with the official permission of the Pope, the stones and marble of the baths were used for the construction of papal palaces. Nowadays, the museum complex of the Baths of Caracalla is used not only as a historical attraction. Opera performances and symphony concerts are held here.

A ticket to the Baths of Caracalla costs 8 euros.

Working hours:

• from 9:00 to 19:15 (from March 31 to August 31),
• until 19:00 (during September),
• until 18:30 (in October),
• to 16:30 (from the end of October to February 15),
• until 17:00 (from February 16 to March 15),
• to 17:30 (from March 16 to the end of the month)

You can find information about performances and concerts at the Baths of Caracalla here: www.operaroma.it

After the Baths you will return to the Colosseum. On the way you can turn to Great Circus to inspect it and evaluate its dimensions. There are no special beauties there now: the Great Circus was dismantled piece by piece after the fall of the Roman Empire. Today it is simply a huge field where mass events are sometimes held, for example, rock music concerts.

Coliseum

Coliseum - one of the obligatory points of our route. Officially this building is called Flavian Amphitheater. But because of its size, it almost initially began to be called what it is called today - the Colosseum. Its construction meant the end of Nero's despotic rule and the ensuing civil war. Emperor Vespasian (1st century AD) decided to build an amphitheater on the site of a park with a lake, which were part of the huge complex of Nero's Golden Palace. With his decision, the new emperor seemed to erase the memory of the despot Nero, and gave the land from under the palace to the people. The amphitheater was built quite quickly: in 8 years.

Inside the famous Roman Colosseum, the Colosseum immediately became the main place for entertaining the people. Gladiator fights, naval battles (naumachia), baiting of animals, and magnificent and pompous festivals were held in its arena. The stands of the amphitheater accommodated about 50 thousand spectators.

As soon as Christianity became the official religion in the empire, times of decline began for the Colosseum. In the Middle Ages, it served as a fortress for noble Roman families and was used in their struggle for influence and power. In the 14th century there was a strong earthquake and the Colosseum was badly damaged. Since then, they began to look at it as a source of building material for palaces and temples. Only in the 18th century did attitudes toward the building change; they began to, if not protect it, then at least protect it from destruction. The excavations revealed to viewers the most interesting arrangement of the premises under the arena. Exhibitions dedicated to the history of the Flavian Amphitheater are presented on different floors. Among the exhibits are drawings and models, fragments of decoration of walls and internal arches.

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Walk through the corridors of the Colosseum, rise from level to level, and you will feel the full power of this grandiose structure. Entering the spectator stands, you will see the arena and be amazed at the strength and flexibility of the engineering thought of the creators of the amphitheater. And when you look out from the arches of the Colosseum, the entire surrounding landscape will seem small to you: the Arch of Constantine will look like a children's toy, and the neighboring Palatine Hill will seem like a poor city outskirts.

It is not without reason that the Colosseum is considered the hallmark of Rome, one of its symbols. It's always very crowded here.

You can also buy tickets for the Palatine, the Roman Forum and the Colosseum online: www.isromantique.it or www.ticketsrome.com/it. This will save you from having to stand in queues.

"The Golden House" of Nero

We'll be next on the route "The Golden House" of Nero, Domus Aurea. You need to leave the Colosseum and find Via della Domus Aurea. It is located next to the pedestrian crossing from Piazza Colosseo to Via Labicana. Very close to the beginning of Via della Domus Aurea, Via Serapide joins it. The ticket office of the “Golden House” is located on this street; the entrance to the complex is located on Via della Domus Aurea. The ticket costs 14 euros.

Of course, the “Golden House” itself has been gone for almost 2000 years. After the death of Nero, the palace was dismantled, and its vast territory was built up. But in the museum complex at the excavation site you will be offered virtual tour of the Golden House. You can imagine the scope of Nero’s idea, what his palace was like, which cannot even be called a palace: a city within a city. You will see the remains of some halls, fragments of mosaics and wall paintings.

You must pre-register for a group excursion (there are no individual excursions) to the Golden House. You can do this on the sites: www.isromantique.it , www.ticketsrome.com And www.coopculture.it. Here you will sign up and buy your ticket online. When purchasing a ticket online, you will have to pay extra 2 euros for placing an order.

Excursions are held on Saturdays and Sundays from 9:00 to 18:15 accompanied by a guide - in Italian, English, Spanish and French. The duration of the excursion is 75 minutes. Don't forget to take warm clothes with you. In order to preserve the wall paintings, the temperature in the halls is maintained at no higher than +10.

Museum complex "Markets of Trajan"

Museum complex Trajan's Markets

And finally, one more place. From the Colosseum, walk up the Via Imperiale Forum to Piazza Venezia. The Street of the Imperial Forum starts from Trajan's Column. This is where you need to go. Go around the column, turn right behind it and along Via Magnanapoli go up a block. On the right side of the street you will see the entrance to museum complex "Markets of Trajan". The complex includes buildings from the 2nd century AD, Trajan's Forum and market premises. You will be able to walk along the streets of imperial Rome, see the buildings of the beginning of our era and even touch the marble decoration of ancient buildings, walk through the Trajan Forum, visit the market and appreciate the construction technology of that time - perhaps, outright multi-story buildings were used here for the first time.

The complex is open daily from 9:30 to 19:30. The ticket costs 11.50 euros.

Second day. Rome Christian

As you know, Christianity did not originate in Rome, but in Rome it received incredible development and, ultimately, official recognition. The initial fate of this religion is quite dramatic. The lives of the first Christians constantly hung in the balance, they were subjected to terrible persecution, they often had to hide not only during life, but also after death. Having become official and main, this religion developed very powerfully. I propose to devote the route of the second day to the history of this development. And I advise you to start the journey from a visit to the Roman catacombs.

Catacombs of Rome- this is a huge network of underground galleries, corridors and tunnels that were used in early Christian times for prayer meetings, and most importantly, for burials. There are about 60 different catacombs in Rome, the total length of the corridors is about 170 km, in total they contain about 750,000 burials. Not all catacombs are Christian. Among them are pagan and Jewish. Not all catacombs are open to the public. Their area is incredibly large; many catacombs are in disrepair. But those that are open are a must to visit.

The Catacombs of Saint Callistus are located on the Old Appian Way. It’s not difficult to find them; it’s a bit of a walk. Take a look at the map. The road is straight all the time and consists of several parts. From the Baths of Caracalla, go straight to Piazzale Numo Pompilio, then along Via di Porta San Sebastiano and Via Appia Antica. There will be a fork in front of the Domine Quo Vadis territory: the Old Appian Way will go to the left. You can follow any of the roads: they will lead you to the Catacombs of St. Callistus. There is an option to get from the Catacombs by bus. Route № 118 walks along the Old Appian Way and stops almost at the entrance to the territory of the catacombs (stop “Catacombe S. Callisto”). Bus № 218 passes from the opposite side of the catacomb territory (stop “Fosse Ardeatine”).

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A forty-minute excursion accompanied by a guide (there are no Russian-speaking guides here) will take place at a depth of 10 meters. You will see early Christian burials, underground chapels, wall mosaics and paintings, the first Christian symbols.

Catacombs opening hours: daily from 9:00 to 12:00 and from 14:00 to 17:00 (the Catacombs are closed on Wednesdays). The ticket costs 8 euros. Website: www.catacombe.roma.it

Lateran Basilica

The best way to get from the Catacombs is to take a bus № 218 and get to Piazza San Giovanni in Laterano. In this square we are interested Lateran Basilica(Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano).

The uniqueness of this place is that this basilica is much more important and valuable in terms of the status of the Vatican itself.
Rome Cathedral - every newly elected pope serves his first service here

Once upon a time there was an estate of the Lateran family on this site. Emperor Constantine, having converted to Christianity, donated the Lateran Palace (he got it as a dowry) to the church. A temple was built at the palace. All the popes of the first millennium of the existence of this basilica lived in the Lateran Palace. It was here that five ecumenical councils of the Catholic Church were held. Both the temple and the palace were decorated with luxury: rich gifts were given to the popes. The main relic of the basilica was the Holy Staircase. According to legend, Saint Helena brought her to Rome. According to legend, Christ ascended this staircase to trial before Pilate. Now the Holy Staircase is located opposite the Lateran Basilica. During and after the Avignon captivity of the popes, the basilica fell into disrepair. The papal court moved to the Vatican, but the basilica was rebuilt. Today this grandiose building is a mixed-style building, but it is still majestic and beautiful.

The Lateran Basilica is the cathedral of Rome. The temple is very beautiful both outside and inside. Stored here frescoes by Giotto, mosaics by Torriti and Camerino. Several popes are buried in the cathedral.

The basilica is open to tourists from 10:00 to 17:00(Monday to Friday) and until 15:00 on Saturdays, on Sunday the temple is closed for tourists, the basilica museum is open from 10:00 to 17:30.

Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore

Santa Maria Maggiore is one of the four main basilicas of Rome and seven pilgrimage churches

From the Lateran Basilica, the straight Via Merulana leads to the left. 20 minutes walk along this street and you are already in front of the entrance to the basilica Santa Maria Maggiore. According to legend, the basilica was built at the behest of the Virgin Mary, who appeared in a dream on a summer night in 352 to Pope Liberius and ordered the church to be built where snow would fall tomorrow. On August 5, 352, there was snow on the Esquiline hill, where the basilica now stands. There is no point in describing the interior, you have to see it. Let me just say for starters that the gilded coffered ceiling is of particular interest. The temple was constantly decorated and completed. Several are buried here popes x, here lies the architect Giovanni Bernini. The cathedral contains Christ's manger.

You can visit one of the most ancient and beautiful basilicas in Rome every day from 7:00 to 18:45. Basilica page: www.vatican.va

St. Peter's Square and Vatican

And already from this basilica, as they say, God himself ordered to go in a straight line and not just anywhere, but to Vatican, to St. Peter's Square. The best way to go this route is on foot. The path is not close, but not difficult, it will take about 50 minutes. But you will explore the city center. From the basilica, Via Panisperna goes to the left, along which you will enter Piazza Venezia. From the square to the left goes Plebescito Street (Via del Plebescito), which a little later flows into Victor Emmanuel II Avenue (Corso Vittorio Emanuele II). The avenue crosses the Tiber and flows into Reconciliation Street (Via della Conciliazione), which will lead you straight to St. Peter's Square and the cathedral of the same name. I suggest taking a walk around the square, and be sure to stop by the cathedral.

Travel to Rome on your own

The capital of Italy has stood on its famous seven hills for about three thousand years. The city, nicknamed eternal even before our era, has seen a lot and can surprise many. You will not find such a mixture of different eras and styles anywhere else - in Rome, monuments of antiquity, early Christianity, the Middle Ages, Baroque and Renaissance have been preserved not only as individual objects, but also as entire ensembles. Therefore, a trip to Rome is a real journey into the past.

In this article we will tell you in detail how to plan a trip to Rome on your own.

We are travel experts and know how much time and effort goes into planning each trip. That's why we created a mobile application "Travel Planner and Travel Guide" for iPhone and Android. All attractions, guides and ready-made routes are part of our free mobile application. Offline maps and GPS are a bonus. So, let's go!

Here every street, every building breathes history. Unlike many European cities, Rome was virtually undamaged during the world wars of the 20th century and has retained its authentic architecture. Masterpieces of Italian painting and sculpture are also perfectly preserved: they are exhibited in many museums, churches and palaces.

In terms of the number of unique objects, no other capital in the world can compete with Rome. But this does not mean that the city is covered with the dust of centuries and lives only in the past. It has everything to enjoy life here and now: quiet picturesque parks and noisy modern streets, fashionable shops and magical antique shops, delicious food and excellent coffee, and most importantly - the special atmosphere of the city to which all roads lead.

How to get to Rome?

The easiest way to get to the capital of Italy from Russia, Ukraine and other CIS countries is by plane. Many airlines offer flights with different prices and conditions. From Moscow and St. Petersburg, the most convenient way to buy air tickets is on a direct flight with Transaero, Aeroflot or Alitalia. In this case, the flight time will be no more than 5 hours. Direct flights from Kyiv are provided only by Ukraine International Airlines, with which you will arrive in Rome within 3 hours of flight.

Flights with transfers can be found with many other airlines, for example, Lufthansa, SwissAir, AirBerlin, Turkish Airlines, WizzAir, SAS, KLM, Brussels Airlines. If longer travel time is not critical for you, you can save a lot on a connecting flight.

To easily understand the intricacies of air ticket prices and choose the most convenient flight for yourself, Ever.Travel recommends using the Aviasales service. With its help you can quickly find the cheapest air tickets. Navigation of this site is extremely simple and clear: you can select departure dates and times, airlines, and transfer options. Aviasales contains offers from hundreds of airlines and air ticket sales agencies, so you can easily choose the right flight option. In the advice section from Ever.Travel, we talk in detail about how to buy cheap plane tickets using the Aviasales service.

Where to stay in Rome?

Rome is a fairly large city, so choosing a place to stay should be approached carefully. A hotel, apartment or hostel in the right area is a guarantee that you will have enough time for all the planned attractions, and the trip to them will not take several hours. Each district of the Eternal City is attractive in its own way. Therefore, it is worth spending a little time carefully choosing a place to stay, but then your vacation in Rome will be useful and enjoyable.

Map of Rome districts

Historical Center

Undoubtedly, here is the largest number of interesting places that every traveler wants to see, especially if he is in Rome for the first time. This is where Piazza Navona, the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, and the Spanish Steps are located - the names alone excite the imagination!

All these objects are within walking distance of each other, so you don’t even have to worry about transport. In addition, you will find shopping areas with the most luxurious boutiques, as well as numerous cafes, bars and restaurants. There are always a lot of tourists here, and almost always quite noisy.

Prices for accommodation in the most modest hotel start from 120-130 euros per night. This is clearly not the most budget option, but living in the very center of the Eternal City is worth it!

Hotels in Trastavere are already cheaper, but finding a free room here is not so easy. The silence and comfort of this area is also appreciated because there are numerous authentic cafes, pizzerias and trattorias where the Romans themselves simply love to spend their evenings.

Visa to Italy

To get to Italy, residents of Russia and the CIS countries must apply for a Schengen visa. Usually it is issued for six months, during which you can stay in the territory of another state for up to 90 days. There is a possibility that the validity of the visa will be increased by up to a year upon re-applying, and even by 2-3 years if you already had a one-year visa before.

The standard period for obtaining a visa to Italy is 5 days, but during the tourist season this time can increase to one and a half weeks, so we recommend that you take care of completing all the necessary documents in advance.

Since information regarding prices, deadlines, documentary evidence and other conditions for issuing Schengen visas changes periodically, we advise you to check the current data on the official website of the Italy Visa Application Center in Moscow or St. Petersburg. Citizens of Ukraine can contact the Italy Visa Application Center corresponding to their region to clarify the nuances.

How to get from Rome airport to the city

Leonardo da Vinci International Airport (Fiumicino Airport) located approximately 30 km from Rome. There are several ways to get from here to the city center:

• Leonardo Express Train departs every half hour and goes non-stop to Termini Station, located in the center of Rome. Travel time is 30 minutes, ticket price is 14 euros.
• Electric train- This is a cheaper but slower route since the trains make many stops. Ticket price is 5.5 euros, travel time is 45 minutes.
• They run around the clock, but at long intervals (1-2 hours) municipal buses. A ticket can be bought from the driver, the cost is 4-5 euros one way, 7-8 euros two ways. Travel time is about an hour. In addition, there are a number of private companies that own Airbuses. For example, SITB BusShuttle, which you can use for 5-6 euros for one way travel.
• Taxi waiting for passengers in a parking lot near the airport. City authorities strongly recommend using only licensed official taxis: they are white, with a “TAXI” sign on the roof. A trip to Rome will cost about 60-70 euros.

Discount airlines fly to Ciampino Airport. It is even closer to the capital and is connected to it by train, bus, and metro lines. A taxi ride from here will cost 40-50 euros.

Car rental in Rome

Throw away all stereotypes and forget about group excursions - you can travel all over Italy on your own, not only Rome, just rent a car. Renting a car in Rome using the RentalCars service is a proven and reliable way to experience the most complete impressions of all Italian beauties. How many amazing places can be found both in provincial towns and in other cities - Florence, Milan, Venice... Don't forget that there are other countries within a few hours' drive: France, Switzerland, Austria, where you can make a motor rally, regardless of which -or schedules and conventions. Treat yourself to freedom of movement! Read more about the capabilities of RentalCars in our review.

Public transport in Rome

A universal travel ticket is valid for all types of public transport - metro, bus, tram and one trolleybus route. You can buy it at the ticket offices at the entrance to the metro, at stops, at newspaper and tobacco kiosks. After 21:00, drivers also start selling tickets, but they are one and a half times more expensive.

Don't forget to validate your tickets in yellow composters! Please note that tickets in Rome are not valid for 24 hours from the moment of validation, but on calendar days until 23:59.

The most convenient way to travel around the city is considered to be a bus - with an extensive network of routes, including night routes, and short intervals. To get on the bus, you need to honk at the driver while standing at the bus stop, and to get off, press one of the buttons inside the bus. At the ATAS information point in front of Termini Station you can purchase a complete map of bus routes.

Tourist card ROMA PASS

Costs 34 euros and is valid for three days. Sold on the official website, at metro ticket offices (not at all stations), at tourist information points (Punti Informativi Turistici / PIT), in museums and archaeological sites. Allows:

• use city public transport free of charge (except for routes to airports);
• visit two historical places or museums of your choice free of charge and without a queue and receive discounts on tickets to the third and all subsequent ones;
• Additionally, visit a number of less popular museums for free;
• and also receive a number of other advantages - for example, a separate turnstile at the entrance to the Colosseum. Included with the ROMA PASS is a detailed map of the city, a list of museums and places worth visiting.

Self-guided tours of Rome

The most budget-friendly way to get to know the city is to make your own walking plans. This is why we have developed a mobile application "Travel planner and guide" for iPhone And Android - ready-made routes and walks, hundreds of attractions, an offline map and GPS - everything you need to get to know a new city.

Ready-made routes and walks around Rome

In addition, you can travel to the main attractions of the city on excursion buses. Usually their tickets are valid for any number of trips within 24 or 48 hours. The cost of such a 48-hour pass is from 15 to 30 euros. There are also sightseeing trams and boats in Rome.

Mobile communications and Internet in Italy

The most popular operators are Vodafone, TIM and Wind. The cost of a SIM card is about 15-25 euros, most of which is deposited into the account. Tariffs are approximately the same, there are special offers for tourists. Inexpensive calls are offered by the PosteMobile network, which you can connect to at the post office. By law, you must present your passport when purchasing. It happens that SIM cards are not activated in Russian phones, in which case you can ask the seller for help.

Pay attention to the municipal project Digit Roma, which provides free Internet access for 4 hours a day through a network of hotspots. An Italian SIM card is required for registration.

Shopping in Rome

Shops in Rome are usually open from 9:00 to 19:00 or 19:30, with a break of 2-3 hours in the middle of the day (from about 13:00 to 16:00), Sunday is a day off.

Sales are held twice a year with discounts of up to 70%: winter in January-February and summer in July-August. It is believed that prices in Italy are among the lowest in Europe. Particularly profitable purchases can be made in outlets in Rome.

The most expensive stores are concentrated around Piazza di Spagna, more democratic - in the Via del Corso area. Another popular shopping street stretches from Termini Station - Via Nazionale. The Esquilino food market is famous for its delicious goods from all over the world. On weekends, flea markets open in different parts of the city.

Roman cuisine

The basis of Roman cuisine is simple and satisfying food for workers. The most famous example is pasta carbonara, always with a raw egg. Classic dishes: “Salti in bocca alla romana”- pieces of veal wrapped in Parma ham and stewed with sage in white wine and “Tripla alla romana”- stewed beef stomach with spices.

Only in Rome you can try it “Coda alla Vaccinara”(oxtail stew) and “Rigatoni alla Pajata”(paste with calf intestines). Those who are not ready to experiment can enjoy the exquisite taste of stewed artichokes (carciofi), as well as a variety of sweets, such as donuts with whipped cream (Maritozzo con la panna).

In restaurants, the bill often includes a service charge (servizio) - up to 15%. However, if you leave a few more euros on top, no one will be offended.

By the way, there are many drinking water fountains scattered throughout Rome. Feel free to drink it and take it with you in plastic bottles.

History of Rome

Rome was founded in 753 BC, and by the beginning of our era it became the capital of the Roman Empire, which captured almost all of Europe and the Mediterranean. In the 4th century AD. the city turned into the center of the Christian world, and its ruler, the Pope, became the most powerful man in Europe. In the 5th century, due to the invasion of barbarians, Rome fell into decline, but by the 9th century it had restored its reputation, becoming the capital of the Holy Roman Empire.

The deeply religious Middle Ages left the city a legacy of a huge number of amazing churches and cathedrals. By the 15th century, Rome was embraced by the ideas of the Renaissance: the best artists of the time came here in search of inspiration and recognition. In 1870, it became the capital of the newly unified Italy and began active development and construction of new territories.

It is important to know:

• Official language: Italian
• City area: 1500 sq. km. Rome is located in the Lazio region, on the Tiber River. The main attractions are concentrated on the left bank. On the right, within the city, is the Vatican State.
• Population: 2.8 million people, mostly Italians, Catholics.
• Currency: Euro
• Visa: Schengen, standard requirements. The cost of a tourist visa is 35 euros.
• Time difference with Moscow:-2 hours in summer, -3 hours in winter
• Climate: The best time to visit Rome is considered to be spring and autumn, when the weather is comfortable and warm. In summer it can be very hot here, up to +40°C. In July-August, local residents try to go on vacation; there are fewer people in the city and more closed cafes and shops. In winter, the temperature remains confidently above zero (+5-10°C), but rain can ruin your holiday.

Holidays and non-working days:

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Most of all, during our travels in new cities, we love walking (however, at home, in St. Petersburg, it’s the same). We like to get to know the city by looking at its streets and houses. If we come across some attraction to which entry is free, we go in; otherwise, we walk further. Maybe this is not correct, but somehow (with rare exceptions) we are not a fan of museums and museum exhibits, which the caring hands of art historians have taken out of context, from the environment for which they were created, lined up, placed under glass and/ or blocked with ropes and the words “Don’t touch”. In addition, the work of these caring hands in glazing and fencing historical values ​​in most cases also has to be paid for.

Our first walk began from the center of transport intersections in Rome - Termini Station (pronounced Termini). If information about the route may be useful to someone, there is a description of it in the second part of the post. If you're going to Rome and don't want to spoil your impressions with other people's photos, just follow the link right away (although when I wrote comments on the photos, I dug up a few interesting facts that weren't in the guide). The first part will contain some photographs and letters. So, let's go for a walk!

From the main exit of Termini Station you can see many buses. They stand on the Five Hundred Square (Piazza Dei Cinquecento), which is named after the 500 Italian soldiers who were slaughtered by the Ethiopians in 1887. On the right side of the square you can see the first attraction - the Baths of Diocletian:


In general, there are a great variety of baths in Rome. Now they are more or less preserved frames of ancient buildings, and once served the Romans as a place for leisure, an indispensable attribute of which was washing in the bathhouse. Yes, a lot of water has passed under the bridge since the Romans invented sewerage and running water.

After a few steps we come out onto another square - the Republican Square (piazza della Repubblica), which is framed by nice buildings:


In the center of the square is the Naiad Fountain. If we speak in Russian, then there will be a Fountain of Mermaids. There are four naiad mermaids: one is from the lake, because it is holding a swan, the second is from the river (it is not clear what it is holding, but according to the sculptor’s plan, it is a river monster), the third is from the ocean (for some reason the author of the fountain decided that since the naiad is an ocean one, let it ride on horses), and the fourth is a mermaid, responsible for underground waters (since underground, the sculptor thought, that means with a dragon).

In the center of the fountain is a man with the important name Marine Glaucus. The main one, that is. According to one legend - the son of Poseidon, according to another - "...a fisherman who ate a mysterious herb and turned into a deity." And in this state, Glaucus showed the way to the sailors. Looks like we got some good grass!


One of the central streets leads from the square - National (via Nazionale). After walking along it a little, we turn onto Turinskaya Street. It's smaller and more interesting. The corners of the houses here are decorated in the same way as, but unlike Poland, the theme is religious.


On the right side you can see the Rome Opera House. It was opened already in 1800 by Rossini’s opera “Semiramide” (not that I’m into classical music, but I’ve heard the name Rossini before)))


Walking a little further, we come out to the square where the Most Important Church of St. Mary stands. Firstly, this is how it can be called when translated into Russian (in Italian - Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore). Secondly, it is the largest of the Roman temples, dedicated to the Virgin Mary and one of the four main churches of Rome.


There is a funny legend according to which in 352, the Madonna (aka the Virgin Mary, aka the Mother of God, aka the mother of Jesus Christ) appeared in a dream to both the then pope and one of the local oligarchs, and said that the next day (and it was summer) it would snow. And that’s where, or rather where, he will go, and there it is necessary to build a church in her honor.


You can enter this temple for free and you can even take pictures. It's very spacious inside. And interesting. From floor to ceiling:










They did not have time to hang a “Do not touch” sign on the doors in a timely manner, which was taken advantage of by numerous pilgrims:


We continue our way and come across a nice fountain:


Along cute little streets...


We go out onto a larger street named Cavour. Having scoured the Internet to find out why he is so famous, and having learned about this, I can now expand on the saying “When the first metro train was launched in England in 1861, serfdom had just been abolished in Russia.” continuation “...and in Italy they elected the first prime minister.” This first prime minister is Count Camillo Benso di Cavour. In addition to the premiership, he participated in the creation of the constitution, and his first literary work was an article on the tax in favor of the poor in England.


From the street named after Comrade Cavour again we delve into smaller streets...


...and we go out to the square near the church, which is called “Basilica of San Pietro in Vincoli”. On the square there is a completely modern picture:


You won’t even think that behind the door there is a thing about which it is written in the Bible: “And behold, the Angel of the Lord appeared, and light shone around the prison. Pushing Peter in the side, he woke him up and said: “Get up quickly. And the chains fell from his hands" (Acts 12:7)

Here they are, these chain chains:


It turns out that in Orthodoxy (.ru) there is even a special holiday “Worship of the honorable chains of the holy and all-praised Apostle Peter,” which is celebrated three times a year. But I naively believed that in Orthodox Christianity it is customary to worship only Christ.

This church has another historical value - the sculpture of Moses, which was sculpted by Michelangelo himself. It was conceived as the crown of the tomb of one of the popes, but that is not what is interesting about it. When conceiving the sculpture, Michelangelo was based on the generally accepted version of the Latin translation of the Bible (this translation even has its own name - Vulgate). And it had to happen that just in the passage about Moses in this very Vulgate a mistake was made: in the original source in Hebrew it is written that “It was difficult for the Israelites to look into the face of Moses because his face radiated light.” However "rays"(in the sense of rays of light) can be translated into Latin not only as "rays" but also how "horns". Well, they wrote about Moses in the Latin Bible that “His face was horned.” Therefore, Michelangelo had no choice but to depict Moses with horns:


Having left the Church of St. Peter with chains, we slowly continue our walk. And suddenly, turning behind another house, we see... we see... HIM...


Back in the thirteenth century, pilgrims (pilgrims who) launched a saying among the people: “As long as the Colosseum stands, Rome will stand; if the Colosseum disappears, Rome will disappear and with it the whole world.” The structure (or rather, its remains) is actually huge and amazes with its power.

Why I wrote the remains: for several centuries, the Colosseum was not only abandoned, but stones from its walls were stolen for the construction of other buildings. Only in the eighteenth century did one of the popes decide that there was no point in wasting goodness, and dedicated it to the Passion of Christ, because a lot of people died as martyrs here.

Although the Colosseum was built for the opposite purpose - as a place of entertainment. True, it turned out that entertainment in those days was still the same. Well, everyone has heard about gladiator fights, and some modern Romans earn their living from this:


However, even cooler spectacles were staged. According to Wikipedia, the Roman people had fun watching such an action when "... girls and women were raped by bulls, donkeys and other domestic animals and wild animals." What a horror!

There were also shows called "naumachia". Despite the scary name, it was a more decent and large-scale event than group orgies. Navachia is a re-enactment of a naval battle. Apparently, tin soldiers had not yet been invented, and from time to time the emperor wanted to play with something childish. Moreover, I wanted it so much that I was not too lazy to build life-size ships, and then destroy these ships during the game. Naturally, together with rowers and other sailors.


Having walked around the Colosseum, we went for a walk further, along the Street of St. John the Baptist on the Lateran Hill. St. John the Baptist's less pompous name in Italian is San Giovanni. Well, almost Saint Vova.


The street is named after the church of the same name. In general, in Italy a church is often called not a church, but a basilica. And it’s funny that once church meant "God's house", A basilica — "royal house" Next to the church, on the right, is the former papal palace, where popes not only lived in the past, they were also elected there.


Above the entrance to the basilica it is written that she “the mother and head of all churches in the city and the world.” It seems that this is still the most important church of Catholic Christianity in the world. Even more important than St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican.


Once upon a time, emperors filled this church with gifts, which is why people called it the “golden basilica.” In the fifth century, during the sack of Rome, the basilica was also plundered, in addition, the church burned twice. However, even now its interior deserves attention.


Here is the see of the Roman bishop and the papal throne. By the way, Roman bishop And pope- these are not two people, but one, but Holy See- this is not a table, but at the same time the Pope and the Roman Curia (aka the Secretariat of State) - this is something like the main department in the Vatican.


Next to the church there is an ancient Egyptian obelisk with a fountain attached.


This obelisk is the oldest of all that currently exist. Date of “birth” XIV century BC. Fourteenth century BC!

This ended our first walk according to the guide book, and we went for a walk just like that.


Photos taken April 19, 2011

What to see in Rome in three days, what a tourist needs to know, safety tips, where is the best place to stay, how to get to the Vatican and Rome museums without waiting in line. In this guide we will share with you our “trodden” and proven walking routes around Rome. The capital of Italy for us is one of the most romantic cities in Europe. This is a real open-air museum - the “eternal city”. The ancients said: “all roads lead to Rome.” The capital of Italy is a “must have” for every traveler.

Rome is a city on seven hills: Capitol, Palatine, Aventine, Esquiline, Caelius, Quirinal, Viminal. The city is divided into two parts by the Tiber River. The left bank part is the site of the ancient city, the right bank is called Trastevere, here in ancient times visiting guests settled. On the right bank of the Tiber there is also the Vatican, the smallest state in the world, the capital of the Catholic world.

Rome won our hearts with an amazing combination of antiquity, Renaissance art, the sophistication of different architectural styles, classical music sounding in the subway, from the windows of cars and buses (we didn’t hear chanson or pop music)), romance, delicious Italian national cuisine, emotional and pleasant people .Rome has its own special atmosphere and unique energy. It has many faces and every traveler will perceive the capital of Italy in his own way.

How to get to Rome

The most convenient and fastest way is by plane. We flew a direct flight Kiev-Rome. 2.5 hours and you are in the capital of Italy! The view from above is amazing. Italian mountains!

Sea and coast of Italy!

An excellent service that we, our relatives and friends use is Skyskanner.com.ua - search for cheap air tickets. It quickly compares offers from hundreds of airlines and selects the best deals. In this case, you book air tickets directly on the airline’s website, receiving all the required bonuses. It’s easy to find a flight ticket to Rome on the website. Enter your data into the search and choose the best flight for you.

You can also get to Rome by bus from other European cities. Tickets can be purchased on the following services:

Pros: The price of a taxi is fixed when ordering, they greet you with a name plate, adjust to your flight, and help with your luggage. Calculate the cost of a taxi, fill out the form below:

Car rent.

Do I need to rent a car? Just to visit Rome you don't need to rent a car. It is more economical and convenient to combine public transport with walking in the city. Renting a car is suitable if you are planning trips outside of Rome. You can rent a car profitably and inexpensively on the website Rentalcars. This service compares car rental prices from well-known companies and helps you choose the best option.

Public transport in Rome.

In the capital of Italy it is convenient to travel by public transport: buses, metro, trams, commuter trains. At the tram or bus stop there is a board with transport numbers and route points. It's hard to get lost))) From Fiumicino Airport to the center of Rome you can easily get by train or bus. Travel time is about 35-40 minutes.

The metro in Rome has 3 lines: A, B and B1, C. Outside of Rome, for example, there is a surface metro line to the beaches of Lido di Ostia. We cannot say that the metro in Rome is beautiful. It is decorated simply, without design frills, and is perceived as an ordinary means of transportation.

Metrebus (or BIT) tickets for public transport in Rome are valid for all modes of transport. Metro, bus, tram, as well as suburban trains Roma-Lido, Termini-Giardinetti and Roma-Civitacastellana-Viterbo, form a single system of the transport company ATAC. Company website http://www.atac.roma.it - ​​here you can find current prices and transport routes. A ticket for 100 minutes costs 1.5 euros, you can use it once in the metro, including transitions from line to line, and change to different bus and tram routes many times during this limited time.

Ticket price with unlimited number of trips: for 1 day – 7 euros, for 48 hours – 12.5 euros, for 72 hours – 18 euros and for a week – 24 euros. The ticket must be validated, and from that moment the countdown of its validity begins.

Helpful advice: It is profitable to purchase tickets for an unlimited number of trips for any type of public transport in Rome. We bought tickets for 72 hours at the metro ticket office and traveled for 3 days around Rome by metro, buses and commuter train to the town of Lido di Ostia to swim in the sea. In our case, when the hotel was on the outskirts of the city, this was an economical option.

But, if your hotel is located close to the center, then there is no need to buy a pass with an unlimited number of trips. After all, Rome is a compact city, convenient for tourists. You arrive at one “point”, look around everything on foot and drive back. An example is our routes around Rome below in the article. The calculation is very simple: a ticket for 1 day costs 7 euros, to pay for it you need to make at least 5 trips per day. But in compact Rome it will be difficult to do this in one day))).

Tourist buses also operate around Rome Hop-On Hop-Off Bus (tickets from 24 euros for 24 hours). There is also such an offer - Bus tour Hop-On Hop-Off “Museum Express”– a blue bus that goes to the most popular museums in Rome. The price depends on the route and duration (24, 48 or 72 hours). As for me, it makes sense to take such a bus if you plan to visit Rome for only a few hours or one day and want to quickly see the main attractions of the city. Getting around on foot and by public transport is also a great opportunity to see Rome. After all, it is always interesting to find out how real Rome lives, and not the ostentatious tourist one.

Where to stay. Hotels and apartments in Rome.

You can book accommodation in the center of Rome using these links:

Advantageous promotions of hotels in Rome and special offers with discounts can be found here:

Maps of Rome, guides, phrase books.

Maps of Rome, as well as a schedule of upcoming events in the city, can be obtained free of charge at any tourist office.

Helpful advice: We have noticed that in any country they are very welcoming to tourists who speak or at least try to say a few words in the local language.

Before our trip to Rome, we stocked up on an Italian phrasebook. He helped us on this trip, although in the city center you can easily ask for directions in English)))

We also purchased a guide to Rome with a map. He helped us in planning routes around Rome. In it we added the necessary places or coordinates with a pen.

Food and water in Rome.

Bravo! Benissimo! Fantastico!Va bene! – and I would like to say many more such words in honor of Italian cuisine. This is my favorite cuisine: pizza, lasagna, ravioli, pasta, risotto, minestrone and for dessert tiramisu, panna cotta, gelato, Italian coffee, fine wines and liqueurs, different types of cheeses.

Where to eat in Rome. There are no problems with this in the capital of Italy. There are many restaurants, cafes, osterias, trattorias, pizzerias, and gelaterias. It’s better to go not to a tourist place, but to an establishment with the most local residents. Usually they are a little further from the center. The prices are cheaper and the food is delicious and authentic. Restaurants in Italy are expensive and prestigious places, cafes are usually self-service, trattorias, pizzerias and osterias are establishments with affordable prices and Italian cuisine. (although you need to be careful, sometimes expensive restaurants may be called Trattoria or Osteria). Usually, at the entrance to a cafe or trattoria, a menu with prices is posted.

Helpful advice: In Italy there is an unspoken rule: If you drink coffee at the bar, then the price is the same. But as soon as you sit down at the table and the waiter serves you, the bill for the order increases almost 3 times. After all, this bill includes fees for serving and serving. For example, a cup of coffee-latte (emphasis on A)) in Castel Sant'Angelo at the bar cost 1.5 euros, and at a table in a romantic setting with views of Rome - 3.5 euros.

Rome. At the Castel Sant'Angelo

A separate story about ice cream. We once met some friends who also went to Rome. Let's exchange impressions. And then the phrase sounds: “We ate such delicious ice cream in Rome... Ice cream!!! called. We bought it near the Colosseum.” We ask: “Have you tried gelato?” - "And what is it?" Curtain... In Italy you must try gelato!

Gelato is an amazing Italian ice cream. It is sold in gelaterias. There are many of them in Rome. We found one of these at the San Paolo metro station. While we were waiting for the bus, we bought ourselves gelato each time. We tried different flavors, the choice is very large. The system is like this - you choose a waffle cone for 1.5, 2, 3 or more euros. (the more, the more expensive). And the seller fills this cone with the gelato flavors that you like. It turns out to be such an impressive pyramid of ice cream scoops of different types. The deliciousness is incredible!

Helpful advice: In Rome you can drink water from fountains. It is absolutely safe and very convenient. The only thing is that the water is very cold. You can always freshen up, fill a bottle with water and wander further, getting to know this unique city.

Interestingly, a real aqueduct was built in ancient Rome. Fountain means “source”. Once upon a time, fountains served only to supply the Romans with water and did not shoot upward. Water was carried from the hillsides through long aqueducts to Rome. At the same time, it underwent triple filtration: it was purified with coal, sand, and then herbs. Therefore, the Romans did not suffer from stomach diseases due to poor quality water. In the 4th century, there were more than 800 fountains in the city, and a hundred baths were in operation.

Shopping in Rome.

Italy is one of the trendsetter countries. Rome is a city where exploring unique historical, cultural and architectural attractions is perfectly combined with shopping. Boutiques of famous designers can be visited while walking along the streets of Rome. In addition, the capital of Italy has large shopping centers and outlets outside the city.

Store opening hours in Rome are from 9-00 to 19-00 or 20-00. In many, except outlets and shopping centers, there is a break from 13-00 to 15-00 (siesta)) and a day off (or a short day) on Sunday.

Inscription "Skonti" means “discounts” in Italian. The season of big discounts for the most economical purchases occurs in the winter in January-February, and in the summer in July-August. During sales periods, prices drop by 50-70%. In stores with the inscription Tax Free foreign buyers have the right to receive a VAT refund on purchases of 155 euros and above. A special coupon is issued for this. At customs, in a special window for Tax Free payments, it is provided along with a receipt and unpacked purchases. (it’s better to arrive at the airport earlier, because there may be a long line of people waiting). Sometimes the owner or seller immediately gives a discount right in the stores, that’s what happened to us)))

Expensive and respectable boutiques located next to Piazza di Spagna (Spagna metro station) on Condotti, Gregoriana, Babuino, Borgognona, Frattina streets. Brands such as Gucci, Valentino, Armani, Tods, Trussardi, Dolce&Gabbana and many other famous fashion houses are represented here.

Stores in the middle price range with more affordable prices you can find Via Nazionale (on this street there are many shops with a good selection of leather goods and fur coats), Via del Corso, Via Barberinini, Via Vittoria, near the Vatican and the Ottaviano metro station - Via Cola di Rienzo.

Also popular for shopping in Rome large shopping centers Oviesse, Coin, Euroma, Upim, La Rinascente, Galleria Alberto Sordi. They work on Sundays, and there is no siesta break in these shopping centers. Same as in outlets.

Outlets in Rome These are entire towns outside the city. You can come here for almost half a day)))

Outlet "Castel Romano" located 25 km from Rome. It presents last year's collections of luxury and mass-market brands with discounts: Dolce&Gabbana, Gucci, Fendi, Armani and other famous brands. There is a regular bus service from Termini train station and Piazza Risorgimento to Castel Romano.

Outlet "Valmontone" popular among the local population, located 40 km from Rome. It has products in the mid-price range, but at the same time of excellent Italian quality. The following brands of clothing and shoes are represented: Baldinini, Twin Set, From By Vestebene, Kocca, Feyem, Manila Grace. The bus to the Valmontone outlet also leaves from Termini railway station.

Techer Outlet Convenient location in the center of Rome. It is close to Plaza España and Via del Corso. This outlet actually carries the same brands as Castel Romano. At Techer you will find discounts on clothes, shoes and accessories from famous brands such as Armani, D&G, RoccoBarocc, Gigli, Fendi, Versace.

Safety in Rome

On hot days, walking around the Italian capital simply requires water, a hat, sunscreen and comfortable shoes. Heels and the stone-paved streets of Rome are simply incompatible))) But that's not all...

Before the trip, our relatives warned us about theft in Italy right on the street. Unfortunately, they had a bitter experience. Although they knew about this problem, they seemed to be holding their bags at the ready, but they stared at the Roman beauty and took the bag off their shoulders. And the thief on a motorcycle (he didn’t admire the beauty of Rome, but only tourists) grabbed his purse and drove off.

Helpful advice: Do not carry all your money, cards and documents with you. Leave it in the hotel safe. Always make photocopies of your passports and visas at home. Travel with photocopies of documents in your backpack. Wear the bag not just on your shoulder, but “at the ready” - over your neck and shoulder, so that it is impossible for passing or running “sneaks” to take your bag off on the go.

How tourists are scammed out of money is a separate topic. For example, gladiators near the Colosseum. Before our trip to Rome, we read about this on many websites and decided not to deal with such “photo gladiators” at all. Before you have time to look back, you already owe a good amount of money for photos with arrogant “legionary faces”. How does this happen? You agree on the price of one photo. During the filming process, the “gladiator”, while you are in “tourist nirvana”, quickly changes poses, hands you a sword, shield and... bills you for several photos, instead of one. The second type of “gladiator” scam is when several more “legionnaires” run up to you during the photo session. Now everyone will have to pay extra for the photo separately.

And they themselves observed such a “swindle” of money near the Colosseum. We went to the fountain at the Roman Forum to drink water. Here we see a man filling half-liter bottles with water. There were about 10-15 containers. We think he’s probably trying for his entire tourist group. Well done))) BUT... when we approached the Colosseum, we saw how this “caring” man was busy selling water from the freezer in the same bottles. The heat is unbearable, tourists happily buy bottles of ice. This is business!!!

We read a lot about how Roman taxi drivers cheat and demand much more money for travel than they initially agreed on. We have not encountered such a phenomenon. On the contrary, taxi drivers not only didn’t take tips, they even gave us a discount, and along the way they also told us about the city)))

And one more thing - do not buy tickets to the Colosseum (with the promise of skipping the queue) from the hands of illegal guides on the Colosseum Square. I wrote about this below in the route of the first day.

What to see in Rome in three days. Walking routes. Sights of Rome.

The capital of Italy pleasantly surprised with its compactness. Attractions are located at every step and close to each other. This is very convenient for a traveler, because to see the most interesting things you don’t need to travel from one end of the city to the other. We happily wandered on foot through the colorful Roman streets and beautiful squares with fountains, enjoying the atmosphere of the “eternal city”.

I love such colorful streets. By the way, “area pedonale” is a pedestrian zone. Just for curious hikers))

And when the brain has already refused to perceive the architectural masterpieces and ancient sights of Rome, it’s time to treat yourself to delicious Italian dishes, pizza, lasagna, pasta, wines or gelato ice cream.

We built our acquaintance with the capital of Italy according to the following principle: we arrive by metro to one point in Rome and examine everything that is nearby. For three days these were the routes.

Walking route around Rome. The first day.

Colosseum Square - Palatine Hill - Roman Forums - Colosseum Amphitheater - Imperial Forums - Venice Square - Capitol Hill

The route takes a whole day. Starts from Colosseo metro station and Colosseo square and ends at Capitol Hill. It is dedicated to Ancient Rome.

The famous Colosseum amphitheater impresses with its scale, grandeur and... a huge winding line of tourists to the ticket office. Immediately, in addition to the “gladiators,” illegal guides may approach you with an offer to visit the Colosseum without queuing for a small fee (in addition to the ticket price). Another deception of gullible tourists.

Helpful advice:How to skip the line to the Colosseum

The secret is simple. Single tickets are sold for the Palatine Hill, the Roman Forums and the Colosseum. Cost 12 euros. The ticket is valid for 2 days, but it can only be used to visit these attractions once. The line at the Colosseum ticket office is the longest. A single ticket can also be purchased at the Palatine ticket office, the Roman Forum ticket office, and can also be booked online on the Colosseum website. (but on the website the extra charge for booking is 2 euros).

We bought single tickets at the Palatine ticket office and began our walk through the antiquities of Rome from this hill. The Palatine ticket office is easy to find: go behind the Arch of Constantine in Colosseum Square and follow the signs for Monte Palatino along Via di San Gregorio. Before us at the Pilatino box office there were only 5!!! Human. (at a time when the line to the Colosseum numbered about a hundred tourists). The ticket office of the Roman Forums is located on the street. Via Sacra and on st. Largo Romolo e Remo.

Read more in this article:

The route is very interesting. A lot of impressions for lovers of antiquities and history. It has one drawback - it is “overload” at the end of the day)))) I will write more about the Colosseum-Capitol route in a separate article. In the meantime, some photos of the first day in Rome))

Coliseum. Photo at the exit from the Colosseum metro station

Arch of Constantine

Hill Palatine. It’s nice to wander around the ancient ruins while listening to the loud singing of cicadas. Italian pine trees create a special color.

Roman forums. View from Palatine Hill. The Forum was the center of cultural and political life in Ancient Rome.

Coliseum. It is very interesting to see this building from the inside.

Geographic maps with the history of the Roman Empire . Placed on the wall of the Basilica of Maxentius. This is on the other side of the forums. You can find them by moving along Via dei Fori Imperiali from Piazza Colosseum to Piazza Venezia.

Imperial forums. Trajan's Market and the Tower of the Militia.

Trajan's Column and the Church of Santa Maria di Loreto. Do you know what connects this ancient column of Emperor Trajan and the city of Kamenets-Podolsky? The answer is in our article:

Venice Square and Altar of the Fatherland. Italians often call this monumental building a “typewriter” or a “wedding cake.”

Capitol Square. Palazzo Senatori. Here is the City Hall of Rome.

Capitol Museum.

Walking route around Rome. Second day.

Vatican (St. Peter's Basilica and museums) – Castel Sant'Angelo – Ponte Sant'Angelo – Piazza Navona - Pantheon

An experience-filled walk around Rome for the whole day.

Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to climb the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica or visit the Vatican Museums or the Sistine Chapel. The reason for this was the huge queues and the desire to see other famous attractions in Rome. But now tourists have the opportunity to avoid queues at the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel and even St. Peter's Basilica. How to do it?

Helpful advice: How to skip the line at the Vatican Museums.

The answer is simple! Online ticket booking on the official website of the Vatican Museums, on this page, will help with this. Buy your ticket in advance. This can be done 60 days before visiting the museums. Enter all the people who plan to go to museums with you, select the date and time of the visit. Price 16 euros + 4 euros for booking, i.e. only 20 euros. You pay with a credit card and immediately after that you receive a voucher with a QR code by email. Entrance to museums using vouchers received by email. In an hour!! Before the scheduled time, go to the right of the main queue and the main entrance, present a printed voucher (you can also show your QR code on your tablet or phone, the main thing is that the code is clearly readable) and your ID. After scanning the code, you will be given a standard ticket to the Vatican Museums. Come in without queuing.

How to skip the line at St. Peter's Basilica.

Entry to St. Peter's Basilica is free. (Paid - museum inside the Cathedral and climbing to the dome). But at the same time, to get into St. Peter's Basilica, you need to stand in a long line at any time of the year. It “winds” around St. Peter's Square. It moves quickly, but with such a large number of people, you will have to stand for at least two hours. But even here there is an opportunity to skip the line. There is a paid service - “Skip-the-line visits to St. Peter’s Cathedral.” The cost of saving your time is from 15 euros. The price includes an audio guide. You can purchase this service online on that website.

Read how to buy tickets to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel here:

I will make a detailed description of this Vatican-Pantheon route in a separate article. But I’ll be happy to post some photos from this bright walk on the second day here))

Vatican – the smallest state in the world. Saint Paul's Cathedral.

St. Peter's Square.

In St. Peter's Basilica. Greatness, beauty, spirituality.

Vatican Post. Be sure to send a postcard home from the unique Vatican Post Office.

Castle of Sant'Angelo. named after the Archangel Michael, who, with his miraculous appearance at the top of the castle, notified the Romans of the end of the plague.

Statue of Archangel Michael on top of Castel Sant'Angelo.

Castel Sant'Angelo offers stunning views of Rome.

And in the distance is the Altar of the Fatherland in Piazza Venezia (wedding cake, as the Italians say)

Bridge of the Holy Angel. There are 10 statues of angels on it.

Piazza Navona. There is an amazing atmosphere here. Even though there are a lot of people around, you just want to sit on a bench by the fountain or at a cafe table and enjoy the surrounding beauty, without rushing anywhere. Three beautiful fountains decorate Piazza Navona: the Fountain of the Rivers, the Fountain of the Moor and the Fountain of Neptune.

Fountain of the Rivers in Piazza Navona.

Fountain of the Moor in Piazza Navona.

Church of Santa Maria sopra Minerva and the Elephant statue. The trial of the heretic Galileo took place in this Gothic church, unique to Rome. Here the scientist said his famous phrase: “And yet it spins!” Bernini's elephant holds on its back an obelisk column, which was erected in the 6th century BC. Julius Caesar brought it as a trophy from Egypt.

Pantheon- ancient Roman temple of all gods. Now it is a national mausoleum in which worthy citizens of the Fatherland are buried.

The dome of the Pantheon is colossal. Its diameter is greater than the diameter of the dome of St. Peter's Cathedral (43.5 meters. “Eye of the Pantheon” - the hole in the dome has a diameter of 9 meters, through which sunlight penetrates into the temple.

Walking route around Rome. Day three.

Trip to the sea in Lido di Ostia – Pyramid – shopping on Via Nazionale – Piazza di Spagna – Trevi Fountain

This full-day itinerary is very diverse: the sea, shops, architecture, the romance of evening Rome and the unique flavor of the city.

We traveled to the Tyrrhenian Sea to the town of Lido di Ostia by metro train from the Basilica San Paolo station. The drive is about 35-40 minutes. The ticket price is the same as for any public transport in Rome. We were traveling on a ticket for unlimited travel, which we bought for 72 hours. Lido di Ostia is a typical Italian resort town. By the way, it is very similar to the resort town of Rimini, on the east coast of Italy. Read about this town here:

The same small family hotels, beaches across the road, boutique shops and a lot of vacationers. The sea is wonderful. There are large rocks at the bottom; it’s convenient to swim away from the shore and relax while standing on them. The sand on the beach is dark and hot. After a busy two days in Rome, a holiday at sea is an excellent solution. We spent half the day just swimming and sunbathing.

In Lido di Ostia there are free beaches and paid ones - for 3 euros per person. They differ in that the free ones do not have sun loungers and umbrellas and there are significantly more people. Showers, toilets, bars with water, beer, and sandwiches are available on all beaches.

The first time I came across such a “walking clothing store” was on the beaches of Rimini. In Lido di Ostia, as on all beaches in Italy, there are sellers of various clothes, bags, and scarves. “Walkers” do not sell corn, seeds or other food here. Only the Chinese sell chopped coconuts.

Pyramid in Rome - an unusual structure for Italy. Located next to the Pyramid metro station. Built by praetor Gaius Cestius in the 12th century BC. made of marble. He thus sought to surpass the greatness of the Egyptian pharaohs. The height of the pyramid is 35 m, but part of it has already sunk into the ground.

Plaza de España and famous Spanish steps . There are a lot of people here, but it is very comfortable and romantic. It's nice that we met here with friends and colleagues.

There are a lot of people in the Plaza de España – that’s about it)))

Trevi Fountain – one of the most romantic places in Rome. Especially in the evening! To return to Rome, you need to throw a coin into the fountain. While standing with your back, throw with your right hand over your left shoulder. But there are so many people that it’s hard to get to the fountain)))

Excursions around Rome.

We talked about routes for independent walks around the capital of Italy. You can also book a private tour of Rome and its surroundings with a local guide.

In the following articles I will describe each of our routes in more detail. Read also how we traveled from Rome to Naples and Pompeii.

Therefore, stay with us - join our groups on social media. networks (column on the right of the site) or subscribe to our blog updates at the bottom of this article and you will definitely not miss new stories and useful tips about traveling to Rome.)))

Rome is an amazing city. He makes you fall in love instantly and for a long time))) Of course, you can’t see everything in three days. There is still so much we haven’t had time to see: Villa Borghese Park, the Appian Way and the Roman Catacombs, Baths of Caracalla, Mouth of Truth, the Fountain of the Turtles, Piazza del Popolo with the twin churches - you can’t list it all)))

I think that you can’t get acquainted with Rome in a hurry, running around all the sights according to a drawn-up plan and checking the “visited” box in the guidebook. Rome should be enjoyed slowly, absorbing the unique and incredibly romantic atmosphere of the “eternal city”.

By the way, New! Now “Green Card” insurance - Green card You can also apply online on the website Hotline.finance. And get it delivered to your home. When traveling by car, a “Green Card” is required

All of Rome in 2 days: the most interesting sights of the city

Rome is a fairy tale city, a dream city, a city shrouded in mysteries and secrets, a city where history was forged. There are hundreds of attractions in Rome and you can't see them all in a month. But what if you only have two days and want to see all the interesting things? We have outlined for you a route through the most significant and interesting sights of Rome, so that you can get the most complete impression of the city, feel its flavor, feel its spirit and unique atmosphere.

You can explore the attractions in any order that suits you, but we have tried to place them in the order in which we would explore them.

Day 1: Walk through the historical center of Rome

The historical center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and on the first day of your walk we suggest exploring the most important sights in the central part of the city.

Roman Forum (Forum)

Address: Via della Salaria Vecchia, 5/6
Working hours: 8.00-17.00
Cost of visit: from 12 euros +4 euros for audio guide

The Forum is located in the very center of Rome. Previously located here market, then the entire political and religious life of the city flowed here. Here the most important decisions were made and forums - national assemblies - were held.
Unfortunately, the years have not been kind to this once very significant place and today only ruins can be seen here. However, this is where most tours of old Rome begin, because the city's most striking sights are located around the Forum.
Most tourists do not take an entrance ticket, but simply look at the ruins from behind the fence and they can be understood - the archaeological details may be of interest only to true history fans.
If you want to save on a ticket, explore all the attractions and avoid standing in line, it will be beneficial for you to buy a comprehensive ticket that allows you to visit Forum, Colosseum and Palatine Hill. You can buy a ticket at the box office on site (but be aware of possible queues) or.

Colosseum

Address: Piazza del Colosseo, 1
Working hours: from 9.00 to 17.00 in winter, from 9.00 to 19.00 in summer.
Cost of visit: from 12 euros. The first Sunday of the month admission is free.

Biggest amphitheater on the territory of the Roman Empire was built in the 1st century and was initially called the Flavian Amphitheater. Later, the crazy Emperor Nero ordered his huge statue (colossus) to be placed in front of the amphitheater, and the entire structure began to be called the Colosseum.
The Colosseum could accommodate 50 thousand spectacle-hungry citizens. Previously, noisy and sometimes very bloody performances were held here, but today the Colosseum itself is a spectacle for millions of tourists.
Tens of centuries have not passed by, the majestic structure is slowly but surely deteriorating and turning into ruins, nevertheless, there is something to admire here - huge columns supporting the sky, stone vaults, high walls...

Lifehack: if you don’t want to stand in line for a ticket (and you most likely will have to stand in line), go to the Forum, which we wrote about above and buy a comprehensive ticket for visiting at the Forum box office Forum, Colosseum and Palatine Hill(one of the seven main hills of Rome, from which a magnificent view of the city and surrounding area opens). Such a ticket will cost approximately 16 euros - this is more expensive than one ticket to the Colosseum, but cheaper than 3 separate tickets, minus the queue, of course. Just take a ticket and skip the line and go to the Colosseum.
Another option is that the ticket is valid for 2 days, so don’t worry about anything when planning your route.

• for 30 euros per person
• for 52 euros per person
• for 125 euros per tour for 1-5 people
• for 125 euros per tour for 1-4 people

Via Vittorio Veneto

One of the most beautiful and respectable streets in Rome, where everything “the best” is located - houses, restaurants, shops. If you reach the end of the street, you will run into Porta Pinciana gate, which were built back in the 5th century as a fortification structure and are still perfectly preserved. The heroes of Fellini's film "La Dolce Vita" lived on this street, the most popular entertainment venues in the city are located here, next to this street there is a line of tangerine trees Piazza Barberini, and in the end it’s just beautiful here.

Trevi Fountain (Fontana di Trevi)

Address: Piazza di Trevi

The largest and perhaps the most luxurious fountain in Rome was built in the 18th century in Baroque style. This fountain is simply a must-see - even if you have never been to Rome before, you have seen it more than once in photographs, postcards, covers of guidebooks and books.
The fountain is adjacent to the façade of the luxurious Poli Palace, which was built in the 16th century, also in the Baroque style. Here, by the way, it is again appropriate to recall the film “The Sweet Life”, because it was in this fountain that the main characters swam. Today, unfortunately, swimming in the fountain is prohibited.
Another interesting point is connected with the fact that tourists throw small change into the fountain “to return”, and city services scoop out about a million euros from the fountain every year (for example, in 2017, 1.4 million euros were “caught” from the fountain) and all this money is sent to charity .

Venice Square (Piazza Venezia)

Most tourist routes and 6 main streets of Rome - via del Corso, via Nazionale, via Cesare Battisti, via del Plebescito, via del Teatro Marcello, via Nazionale, here you will see a lot of attractions: Palace of Venice, Capitol Museum, Column of Emperor Trajan, ancient Forum, observation deck with magnificent views of the surrounding area. This square is very popular with city guests and very annoying for local residents, and all because from one of the balconies of the Venice palace, dictator Mussolini declared war on France and Great Britain.

Campo dei Fiori Square (Piazza di Campo de "Fiori)

The square with the romantic name “Flower Square” has a completely unromantic history - for several centuries heretics were burned here, the most famous of whom was Giordano Bruno. Today it is installed on the square monument to this scientist. Well, besides the monument and sad stories, you will find here a large market of all sorts of things, inexpensive and very colorful cafes and traditional - fountain.

Pantheon

Address: Piazza della Rotonda
Working hours: 8.30-19.30
Cost of visit: for free

The majestic Pantheon was built in 126 in the ancient Roman style. You need to come here, stop in front of the monumental building and silently admire. Interestingly, there are no windows inside the Pantheon, but there is an opening in the dome, and the walls are decorated with paintings. Temple layout It is considered unique because it has remained virtually unchanged since the construction of the temple, except that instead of paintings on the walls, sculptures were previously installed here.

• for 31 euros per person
• for 123 euros per excursion for 1-4 people

Church of St. Ignazio of Loyola (Chiesa di Sant "Ignazio di Loyola)

Address: Via del Caravita, 8a

A work of architectural art from the 17th century and the final touch of the Baroque era not so popular among tourists and for good reason: the ceiling was designed by a student of Michelangelo, who was able to depict a dome on a flat ceiling and if you don’t know this fact, you will never understand that there is no dome there.

Piazza Navona )

Another luxurious square, another luxurious fountain, or rather three fountains, which form a unique composition. You will definitely like this square - it is quiet and cozy, there are no crowds of tourists who completely undeservedly bypass it, but there are a lot of cute cafes and restaurants, and, of course, shops with souvenirs, paintings and ice cream.

Square of Spain (Piazza di Spagna)

The main attractions of the square are Spanish steps in the Baroque style, which is crowned Church of Trinita dei Monti. Stands in front of the church Column, erected in 1854 and dedicated to the Mother of God, as well as the original fountain in the shape of a boat. There are a large number of fashion stores around the square, so if you were planning shopping, but don’t want to fly to Milan, this is the place for you. By the way, it is on this staircase that the Fashion Week in Rome. If you’re not in the mood for shopping, buy an ice cream, sit on the steps of the Spanish Steps and enjoy the view of the marble-paved square, the high hill, spreading cedars, classical baroque architecture and the flow of ordinary Roman life.

If you have any energy left, you can visit Villa Borghese, which is located a couple of hundred meters from Plaza de España, or you can stay on the square, sit in a cafe with an open terrace, order a salad or dessert and remember this moment, because it is wonderful.

Day 2: Trastevere area and Vatican City

Trastevere area

This old quarter It is considered one of the most colorful and romantic parts of the city; it is not for nothing that Woody Allen settled the heroes of “Roman Adventures” here. They say about this place that it is not “beautiful”, but “too beautiful”. There are luxurious villas surrounded by greenery and flowers, magnificent parks and squares, sun-drenched squares, inexpensive cozy cafes with outdoor terraces and restaurants with higher prices, many hotels and guest houses. By the way, hotel prices here are not as high as in the center, but the quality of services is no lower, in addition, by public transport you can get to any attraction in Rome in 10 minutes.
You should come to this quarter when you have already walked the noisy streets of Rome. Peace and quiet await you here and you can say “ usual life" Previously, this quarter was a working-class area where ordinary Romans lived. Today this place is more popular and prestigious, but it is still one of the rare locations where you can see real non-tourist Italy as it was two hundred years ago. We tell you what to see in Trastevere.

The most interesting excursions in the Trastevere region

• for 65 euros per person
• for 110 euros per excursion for 1-4 people
• for 135 euros per tour for 1-4 people

Flea market of Porta Portese

The largest flea market in the city, where you can find anything you want. It opens every Sunday. You will find a market near the main gate areas called Porte Portese. Even if you are not a fan of flea markets and antiques, still come here, because for just a couple of euros you can buy strange things and souvenirs here.

Church of St. Mary in Trastevere (Basilica di Santa Maria in Trastevere)

Address: Piazza di Santa Maria in Trastevere, Rome
Working hours: from 7.30 to 21.00
Cost of visit: for free

St Mary's Church or Basilica of Santa Maria Built from the 3rd to the 12th centuries, it is said to be one of the oldest churches in Rome. The temple is valuable for its frescoes and mosaics from the 12th century, icon of the Mother of God full-length 7th century, carved wooden ceiling, medieval tombstones and relics, large antique organ. By the way, there is an opportunity to listen to organ music. A few steps from the cathedral you will see the bell tower with the oldest bell in the city.

Villa Farnesina

Address: Via della Lungara 230, Rome
Working hours: Mon-Sat from 9.00 to 14.00
Cost of visit: 6 euros. Upon presentation of a ticket to the Vatican, you will receive a discount.

The villa was built in the 16th century and belonged to the banker Chigi. This building is the only non-religious building that decorated great Raphael. In the halls of the villa you will see frescoes by Raphael and his students. For example, “The Triumph of Galatea”, “The Wedding of Cupid and Psyche”, majestic frescoes with views of Rome, as well as grandiose scenes from the life of Alexander the Great - get ready to be amazed.
What’s especially nice is that there are almost never people at Villa Farnesina, which means you can enjoy great works of art in silence, especially if you come here early in the morning.

Guided tours of Villa Farnesina

• for 100 euros per excursion for 1-6 people
• for 140 euros per excursion for 1-10 people
• for 100 euros per excursion for 1-6 people

Fountain Acqua Paola (Fontana dell "Acqua Paola)

Address: Via Garibaldi, Rome

As soon as you leave Villa Farnesina, go to fountain Acqua Paola, which is located on the Janicolo hill(Janikolo) right behind the villa. The fountain was built in the 17th century and impresses with its beauty. To the right of the fountain you will find observation deck, which offers one of the best views of Rome. And then you can go down to Trastevere, sit in one of their cafes, sit back and watch people.

Vatican

Even if you don't know anything about the Vatican, you still know something about it. For example, that this is the smallest state in the world. Or that it is a state within a state. Or that the Pope lives and works here. And even if you are not the most religious person, you should see this unique place. It is worth noting that only part of the Vatican is accessible to tourists, namely St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican Museums and Gardens. Let's tell you more about these places.

How to get to the Vatican

You can get here either on foot or by public transport.

By bus

Buses No. 40 and No. 64 go here.

Metro

You will need to get off at San Pietro metro station (if you want to get off at St. Peter's Basilica) or at Cipro station (if you want to get off at the Vatican Museums).

On foot

There are several routes you can take to get to the Vatican from Rome, the most popular of which starts at Venice square, which we talked about above, passes through Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, crosses the river on a bridge Ponte Vittorio Emanuele II and goes into Via della Conciliazione. This scenic route can be covered in half an hour, but the journey will probably take a little longer, because you literally want to take photos at every corner.

St. Peter's Square, St. Peter's Basilica and the Dome of St. Peter's Basilica

Cathedral opening hours: in summer 9.00-19.00, in winter 9.00-18.00
Cost of visiting the temple and square: for free
Cost of visiting the dome: on foot - 6 euros, by elevator - 8 euros, children under 12 years old - free
Dress code: in order to visit the temple, you need to be decently dressed, namely long skirts or trousers, covered shoulders and a hat

Getting into the Vatican is very simple - as long as you are on the other side of the square, you are still in Rome, cross the square and welcome to the Vatican.

Was first erected majestic temple, and then the Vatican authorities decided that such a valuable pearl needed a worthy frame, and then he himself Lorenzo Bernini designed and built St. Peter's Square. It took 11 years of the great master’s life to build the square.
Entrance to St. Peter's Basilica is free, but to get there you need to go through security, where your belongings will be checked. The line is usually very long, but it also moves quite quickly, so it won't take much time.

is the largest cathedral in the world and one of the largest museums, housing truly great works of art. If you only have one day to visit Rome and you don’t know what is worth seeing and what can be left for next time, visit St. Peter’s Basilica, if possible, climb under the dome of the cathedral (its height is 136 m), and leave the Vatican Museums for another time. Great Italian master Michelangelo Buanarroti supervised the construction of the temple, he managed to do a lot, but did not have time to complete the work, because he died in 1564, and the temple was completed only in 1590. Another great master who had a hand in the design of the temple was Lorenzo Bernini, who for 50 years worked on the decoration of the temple.

Under the dome of the cathedral you can climb on your own (and this is the best option, because the climb is more beautiful than even the view from above) or by elevator (more expensive and not so beautiful). The round trip takes about an hour. Opens from under the dome amazing view to St. Peter's Square and the surrounding area.

Vatican Museums: Pinacoteca, Sistine Chapel

Cost of visit: from 16 euros, children under 6 years old free, audio guide cost 7 euros. Visiting museums on the last Sunday of the month is free.
Cash desk opening hours: 9.00-16.00
Museum opening hours: 9.00-18.00

The Vatican Museum is museum complex, which is a must-visit for everyone who finds themselves in Rome. If you can only choose one museum to visit, choose this one.
Museums consist of art galleries ( Vatican Pinakothek), sculpture museum ( Clementine Museum, Chiarmonti Museum, Etruscan Museum, Egyptian Museum), a historical museum, as well as a museum of religious art and a library. In museums you can see the greatest masterpieces of world culture, including works by Michelangelo, Raphael, Perugino, Leonardo da Vinci, Titian, Bernini and many others.

It is recommended to arrive at museums at 10-11 a.m. and first climb under the dome of St. Peter's Basilica, because after walking around museums you may not have enough strength to get up, and view It opens easily from the top incredible. Well, after that you can visit art galleries, first of all Pinakothek(Italian art gallery), Historical Museum and Sistine Chapel.

It is better to go to the Vatican Museums with a guide, otherwise you risk simply passing by something that you will regret later.

Five ways to get to the Vatican Museums

• buy an independent ticket at the box office (but be aware of the huge queues);
• buy an independent ticket (no queues, print the ticket, show it at the entrance, take an audio guide in Russian and go in);
• buy an excursion from the barkers at the entrance (no one can vouch for the quality, it depends on your luck);
• buy a group excursion (read reviews and choose a group excursion in a language you understand, the advantage is the low cost and most likely a good guide);
• buy an individual excursion (personal guide, interesting stories in an understandable language, but high cost).

Lifehack: Do not plan to visit the museum on Wednesday between 10 and 11 am. The fact is that Wednesday morning is the time of the Pope’s address to the people, and on Wednesdays until lunchtime the entrance to the dome of St. Peter’s Cathedral is closed and many entrances and exits are closed. This will make your walk through the museum less interesting, take much longer and require more effort.

Vatican Gardens and Necropolis

A walk through the Vatican gardens and the necropolis (that is, the cemetery) must be booked in advance with a guide or online.
The gardens are very beautiful, and the necropolis is impressive with the grace of sculptures and tombstones, but if you are planning to visit the Vatican Museums and St. Peter's Basilica before this, think about whether you can handle such a program. We would recommend walking around the Vatican grounds and museums first, then decide if you want to go to the gardens, and if you do, book a tour that you can take the next day after you've rested.

• for 38 euros per person
• for 88 euros for a company of 1-6 people.
  

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