Fontana della Barcaccia at the foot of the Spanish Steps

Weekend in Rome

By Robert Heaney

Offering up a particularly unique blend of renowned cultural hotspots, booming nightlife, world-famous shopping and delectable local cuisine, Rome stands as one of Europe’s most popular city break destinations. Whether you’re a history buff or a jet-setting holidaymaker, a weekend in Rome is sure not to disappoint.

Visiting Rome at the Weekend

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Should you choose to take a weekend break in the Italian capital, it’s worth noting that this will by and large be the busiest time of the week. Though the exact scale of foot traffic throughout the city will depend on the time of year, weekends tend to see a consistent upsurge in foreign visitors, and many locals, too, choose to spend their days off visiting many of Rome’s traditional cafés, bars and restaurants.

That being said, anybody visiting Rome should already expect some amount of bustle given its sheer global popularity and appeal. In many ways, the increased local presence offers somewhat of a more relaxed and authentic feeling to the city, while its bars and nightlife become a whole lot more lively. Just be prepared to book your desired attractions and venues sufficiently in advance to avoid any potential disappointment.

Things to do at the Weekend

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Naturally, just about any trip to Rome is bound to be brimming with visits to many of the city’s world-class cultural and historical sites. As mentioned above, many of these attractions are likely to be busier than usual over the weekend, so you’ll want to plan accordingly to be sure to fit everything in.

Topping most lists is likely the Colosseum, the world’s largest standing amphitheater and one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Following closely behind is the Pantheon, another UNESCO World Heritage site and a former Roman temple. Both of these incredibly well-preserved ancient sites offer visitors a glimpse into the daily lives and customs of citizens in a civilization now long since passed.

Another of Rome’s hugely popular boasts is Vatican City, the beating heart of Roman Catholicism and permanent residence to the Pope. Officially the smallest country in the world, nestled just outside Rome’s city center, the site is home to some of the world’s most impressive religious buildings, namely the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica, not to mention the vast collection of the Vatican Museums.

Many visitors to Rome find themselves on the search for their next big photo op, with the majority drawn to the likes of the elegant Trevi Fountain and the iconic Spanish Steps joining Piazza di Spagna to Piazza Trinità dei Monti. These landmarks tend to get particularly busy at the best of times, so if you’re looking to snap a more authentic and serene photo, you’d be best off visiting early in the morning ahead of most of the crowds.

Those with a penchant for the Italian capital’s historical value will likely enjoy a stroll through the Roman Forum, where vague ruins now stand as mere whispers of a formerly grand administrative district. If ancient is truly what you’re looking for, though, there’s nothing in Rome older than the ruins atop Palatine Hill, considered the cradle of Roman civilization and the fabled location of the Lupercal cave of ancient Roman myth.

Bars and Nightlife

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If you’re spending a weekend in Rome, chances are high that you’ll be keen to get a piece of its renowned nightlife. Though the daytime tourist scene may already seem bustling and lively enough, you haven’t seen anything until the evening rolls around.

Whether you’re keen on a light appetizer in one of its charming squares, a hearty Italian meal or a tipple of some authentic local vino, the Trastevere district is easily one of your best options. Home to many of Rome’s largest tourist spots, it offers just about everything you could want from a Mediterranean night on the town.

Particularly popular with a younger scene are Campo dei Fiori and San Lorenzo, featuring all manner of bars, restaurants and leisure spots with an overall informal vibe. Given their following, these spots can get rather crowded as the night goes on, so be sure to keep your wits about you.

Retail Therapy

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Aside from cultural hotspots, bustling nightlife and diverse history, few things define a European city break like a perusal of the city’s boutiques and shopping districts. Whether you’re in the market to bag yourself some Italian fashion or simply want to explore some authentic, independent stores, Rome has you covered.

While Milan is famed as the fashion capital of Europe, Rome certainly isn’t far behind. If prestigious boutiques and luxury retailers are your thing, you’ll want to make your way to Piazza di Spagna and its surrounding streets, where you’ll find the likes of Prada, Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Armani and other such labels.

The key benefit of spending a weekend in Rome are the markets, where you can grab all manner of clothing, jewelry, antiques, books and fresh produce. The Porta Portese Market spread throughout the streets of Trastevere Railway Station is a particularly popular Sunday flea market, while the charming Mercato dei Fiori sells various flowers, plants and fresh fruit and vegetables.

Though Rome is much more of a stranger to shopping malls and department stores than much of Europe, there are certainly still some options. The Galleria Alberto Soldi, for example, offers a small yet impressive selection of retail boutiques, while the Stazione Termini Roma shopping complex offers a much more diverse and typical assortment of retail therapy options.

Getting Around

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With only a weekend to spare in the eternal city, you’ll likely want to make the most of your time. While many of the city’s top sights are easily accessible on foot and within relative walking distance of one another, you may find yourself looking for faster means of getting around to fit as much in as possible.

Fortunately, Rome has a fairly extensive transport system covering much of the city. The fastest options are naturally the metro and tram services, but with only a small few serviced lines running through the city center, they aren’t always of much use to most tourists. Buses, on the other hand, operate a much more convenient alternative, with over 350 lines servicing over 8,000 stops throughout the city center and wider suburbs.

However, most public transport in Rome tends to get rather busy at the best of times, let alone over the weekend. For somewhat of a more convenient, comfortable and entertaining means of getting around, a Big Bus Rome tour runs a main route passing by most of the capital’s top attractions, along with a hop-on, hop-off policy and optional audio commentary in several major languages.

Robert Heaney
Go City Travel Expert

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View of St Peter's Basilica from Janiculum Hill in Trastevere, Rome
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Is Rome Safe?

Rome is one of the world’s most visited cities, with over 10 million tourists being wowed by its ancient attractions every year. And, with so many bucket-list big hitters within easy walking distance of each other, it’s little wonder the Eternal City is so popular. We’re talking ancient sites like the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Pantheon, the Circus Maximus and the Capitoline Museums. Then there are the lush parks, the hills with their swoonsome panoramic views and medieval marvels like St Peter’s Basilica and Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel masterpiece. And, boy do the Romans know how to make great pizza, too! If you’re considering a trip to this most romantic of Italian cities, you’re probably also wondering how safe it is to visit. Don’t worry: we’ve got you covered. Read on for our guide to staying safe in Rome.   Save on things to do in Rome Save on admission to Rome attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram and Facebook for the latest top tips and attraction info. Safe travels, and grab a Rome attraction pass to make the most of your trip!
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
Expertly-crafted interior walls of the Pantheon
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Rome in May

As Rome waltzes toward the coming summertime rush, May offers a unique window of idyllic Mediterranean weather, delectable Italian cuisine and the last remnants of a somewhat quieter capital. If you’re looking for the best combination of circumstances to visit the eternal city, a trip to Rome in May is truly the one to beat. Visiting Rome in May Average Temperature: 55 - 75°F • Average Rainfall: 7 days/mth • Average Sunshine: 9 hours/day May is perhaps one of the most idyllic periods in which to visit Rome. As spring begins drawing to a close, so too does the spring shoulder season as visitors begin flocking to the Italian capital in force for their own brief piece of Mediterranean paradise. This is typically the final hoorah before the coming peak season of tourism, which makes it prime time to experience the best that the city has to offer while it’s still comparatively quiet. Come early enough in the month, and you’re likely to still benefit from off-peak airfare and accommodation rates, with prices not quite as low as winter and early spring but often significantly lower than summertime rates. With summer just around the corner, Rome in May well and truly embraces its renowned Mediterranean climate. Average temperatures range between mild and very pleasantly warm, complemented by regular sunshine ideal for exploring the city or relaxing on a traditional Italian terrace. That being said, at least one day of rainfall per week isn’t yet out of the question, so it’s always wise to pack an umbrella just in case. Things to do in May Just about any visitor to Rome is sure to be keen to tour some of the eternal city’s poster-boy landmarks and attractions. Of course, taking pride of place is the Colosseum, renowned UNESCO World Heritage site and the largest standing amphitheater on Earth. Following closely behind, the Pantheon temple offers a remarkably intact insight into ancient Roman social and religious practices and pastimes. Whether you’re a devout Catholic, an architectural enthusiast or simply a keen traveler looking to tick off the smallest country in the world, Vatican City is certain to be of interest. Home to the awe-inspiring Sistine Chapel, the vast historical collections of the Vatican Museums and, of course, the famous seat of Roman Catholicism, the Vatican is truly one of Europe’s greatest marvels and a real bucket-list destination. Among the most attractive places throughout Rome to take a break from wandering the busy city streets are the Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain. Popular with many tourists for their incredibly photogenic qualities, these are often some of the most crowded places during peak times, so be sure to arrive early enough in the day if you’re looking to snap that perfect shot. For an alternative way to explore the Italian capital and a chance to rest your feet between attractions, a Big Bus Rome tour passes by many of the city’s top landmarks and offers audio insights into their cultural and historical significance. Those looking to discover an otherwise untold underworld of Rome can explore the macabre underground passages of the Rome Catacombs, lined floor to ceiling with the skeletons of a civilization long since passed. If you find yourself in Rome for more than just a few days, why not take advantage of the idyllic weather to experience more of what Italy has to offer? Just over an hour away by train, the likes of Naples, Florence and Pompeii each offer a unique blend of Italian culture, history and cuisine ideal for a delightful day out. What's On in May Primo Maggio May 1 marks a rather important day for Italy, with a national holiday for Primo Maggio, or May Day, offering many businesses and services the opportunity to take the day off. Running in conjunction with the holiday, the Festa dei Lavoratori, or Worker’s Day, commemorates the efforts of the working population and the social and economic achievements of trade unions on behalf of their members. While much of the country takes the day to rest, Rome’s trade unions famously host the annual Concerto del Primo Maggio outside the Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano, just a short walk from the Colosseum. The concert typically begins in the late afternoon and continues right into the late hours of the night, with performances from a variety of established and upcoming Italian artists. With many stores and services closed for the day, May 1 is an ideal day for outdoor excursions. If the weather’s in your favor, the likes of Palatine Hill, the Botanical Garden, the Orange Garden and the Rome Rose Garden are fantastic for a relaxing day out beneath the sun with a picnic of traditional Italian meats and local wine. Rome Outdoor Festival For the best part of a month in late spring, Rome’s Mattatoio Testaccio museum comes alive as it hosts Italy’s largest annual metropolitan culture festival. Through a vast program of events, the Rome Outdoor Festival serves to celebrate Italian art, music and pop culture in all forms, centered around a different theme each year. The festival spreads itself across several key festival zones. Taking pride of place, the Art Pavilion is home to a variety of engaging and often interactive art installations from both established and rising international artists. The Television Section offers a program of screenings and events dedicated to entertainment, science, culture, sports, TV and movies. Guest speakers and organizations hold performances, debates and lectures on a variety of topics in the Conference Section, while the Market Area offers local and international artisans and designers the opportunity to exhibit and sell their wares. The market typically introduces a new theme each week, making for a rolling catalog of vendors and products, while the city’s best bartenders offer attendees a specialist menu of beverages and refreshments in the food area. Open House Roma In celebration of Rome’s world-class architecture and design, Open House Roma invites the public to explore some of the city’s most lauded buildings for one weekend each spring. The event aims to feature a balanced mix of architecture, from small-scale to large and ancient to contemporary, typically opening the doors to more than 200 sites dating back throughout the vast history of the city. Venues are spread across various categories, including private residences, buildings little known to many of Rome’s residents, hospitality establishments, key locations from throughout various historical eras and a collection of institutes dedicated to knowledge, culture and research. As an Open House event, visitors have a rare opportunity to discover some of Rome’s more exclusive architectural marvels free of charge. For those with more of a specialist interest in the design, heritage and preservation of the venues, the festival also features various talks, tours and special events hosted by experts throughout many of the buildings.
Robert Heaney
Ruins of the Roman Forum
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Rome in April

With the clocks now long since turned forward, the Italian capital embraces a season of fertility. As the country’s agriculture moves into second gear, so too does the influx of tourists to the eternal city. Between its bountiful springtime delicacies, charming weather and renowned historical hotspots, a trip to Rome in April is nothing if not a true seasonal delight. Visiting Rome in April Average Temperature: 46 - 68°F • Average Rainfall: 9 days/mth • Average Sunshine: 7 hours/day With springtime now in full swing, the city of Rome really comes into its own. Famous capital of one of Europe’s most agriculturally bountiful countries, Rome in April comes into full bloom with all-new, fresh seasonal produce throughout its restaurants and stores. For those chasing a genuine taste of Italian culture and cuisine, this is undoubtedly one of the best times to visit. While you’ll just about never see Rome in any state of quiet, its evergreen attractions bringing in everlasting appeal, April stands as one of the final months of the city’s tourism shoulder season. As summer draws closer, so too do the waves of peak-season tourists. Those choosing to get their Roman fix ahead of time will often therefore be rewarded with reduced airfare and accommodation rates, occasionally at somewhat of a significant discount against summertime prices. Throughout spring, Rome finally begins to truly embrace its famed Mediterranean weather. Though the lows can still be somewhat chilly, the highs make for some very pleasant days of exploring the ancient city or lounging on a traditional Italian terrace, and some pretty consistent sunshine only sweetens the pot. Contrary to the popular idiom, you can probably expect sunshine and rainbows during your stay, with rainfall likely on at least a couple days per week. Things to do in April It’s unlikely that you’d be taking a trip to the eternal city without making the rounds of its most famous landmarks and attractions. Explore the vastness of the Colosseum, the world’s largest amphitheater, alongside the remarkably intact architecture of the former Roman temple known as the Pantheon. Somewhat more reflective of a civilization now long since passed, the Roman Forum houses the bare ruins of a number of important government buildings, now mere specters of their former glory. Palatine Hill, in much the same way, is home to the most ancient part of Rome on the most central of the city’s seven hills, said to be the location of the fabled Lupercal cave. Among the most photogenic landmarks in Rome include the astonishingly intricate Trevi Fountain, with its enormous 160-foot wide footprint, as well as the wide, eighteenth-century Spanish Steps connecting the Piazza di Spagna to the Piazza Trinità dei Monti. The attractive craftsmanship of these architectural icons make them very popular with tourists as both great photo ops and delightful places to take a break from the bustle of the city. Equally remarkable but comparatively underrated are the likes of the 120-foot tall Pyramid of Cestius, resting place to priest and magistrate Gaius Cestius and his family from the 1st century BC. The site is a prime example of Egyptian influence in Rome in the wake of the empire’s conquest of Egypt in 30 BC, alongside landmarks such as the Flaminian Obelisk and Obelisk of Montecitorio on Piazza del Popolo and Piazza di Monte Citorio, respectively. Those with a taste for the dark and macabre may enjoy exploring somewhat of a literal underside to the famous ancient city. Stretching for miles beneath the streets of Rome, six of the Roman Catacombs are open for public tours, lined floor to ceiling with skeletons dating back almost 2,000 years. What's On in April Spring Festival Each year in April, Italy bursts into celebration of the spring season with the Festa della Primavera, or Spring Festival. Typically running through to June, the country organizes all manner of seasonal events and activities in an historical tradition honoring agricultural fertility. Throughout Rome specifically, signs of the springtime festival are hard to ignore. Alongside glorious floral displays at the Orange Garden and Rose Garden on Aventine Hill, the Spanish Steps erupt with the flaming tones of pretty pink azaleas. Rome also organizes a vast program of events to take place throughout the season, from art fairs and street markets to diverse exhibits and installations throughout the city. Theater shows, concerts and sporting events often join in on the fun, while a variety of activities and entertainment also tends to sprout up along the banks of the Tiber. Birthday of Rome On the closest Sunday to April 21, widely considered the anniversary of Rome’s foundation in 753 BC, the ancient city jumps back in time as the streets are taken over by hundreds of historical re-enactors from across the continent in one of the season’s most locally-anticipated events. Parading through the historic streets of the city center, attendees come dressed in historically accurate costumes from various eras of Ancient Rome. The procession typically takes place between 10 AM and 4 PM, accompanied by a variety of re-enactments, historic events and activities throughout the city, often followed by an impressive light show and fireworks display. Romanesco Artichoke Festival Held each year in the nearby coastal city of Ladispoli, the Romanesco Artichoke Festival typically takes place over several days in mid-April in celebration of some of the region’s most traditionally lauded seasonal produce. The humble Romanesco artichoke was a staple of peasant diets for centuries, before becoming widely cultivated around Rome in the wake of the Second World War. Since the war, the typically sleepy seaside resort of Ladispoli now serves as the epicenter of the artichoke industry for one week each spring, blossoming in celebration of the popular crop. Throughout the festival, the city hosts an impressive program of events, including a traditional conference on the economics and cultivation of the artichoke, an artichoke-based cooking contest, sporting events and cultural activities, often accompanied by live music. Fried artichokes are often handed out to attendees, while many local restaurants serve special, fixed menus throughout the season featuring an assortment of artichoke-based dishes. Elaborate artichoke sculptures line the city streets in every imaginable arrangement, with a prize awarded to the most creative piece. Other such artichoke-centered festivals also take place in other Italian towns around April, but the Ladispoli is easily the biggest and most important of them all. The Romanesco Artichoke Festival is well worth visiting for those keen to explore a niche yet exciting aspect of Italian culinary culture.
Robert Heaney

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