Weekend in Rome

By Robert Heaney
Fontana della Barcaccia at the foot of the Spanish Steps

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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Saint Peter's Basilica and Ponte Sant Angelo by night
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Rome in December

Renowned home to the seat of the Roman Catholic Church, few destinations match up to the genuine traditional festivity of Rome in December. Alongside its usual selection of historical wonders and culinary delights, the Italian capital truly comes to life throughout the holiday season, its streets adorned with all manner of Christmas décor and brimming with a jovial atmosphere. Visiting Rome in December Average Temperature: 39 - 59°F • Average Rainfall: 9 days/mth • Average Sunshine: 3 hours/day As is the case for many European destinations throughout the festive period, Rome in December sees a slight uptick in tourism rates from its usual low-season numbers. While its largely evergreen attractions mean that Rome is never truly quiet, you can certainly expect busier streets and slightly more crowded venues than in November or January. Temperatures in December tend to vary significantly, ranging from mild and comfortable to only a little above freezing. Though you’re likely to get a good few sunshine hours on most days, there’s also a good chance of at least a day of rain each week. If you’re looking to explore some of Rome’s many open-air attractions, prepare to wrap up warm if need be and be sure to pack an umbrella! Things to do in December There are arguably few places better for observing the holiday season than the beating heart of Roman Catholicism. Both Rome and the Vatican pour their souls into honoring the festive period, with impressive Christmas displays housed on St. Peter’s Square and Piazza San Pietro alongside expertly-crafted nativity scenes at 100 Prespi and the Church of Saints Cosma and Damiano. Nothing reflects the festive period in Europe quite like a Christmas market, replete with all manner of charming gifts and winter treats. Though still a relatively novel concept in Italy, many of the country’s best mercatini di natale take place in Milan, Florence and Bolzano in the north, making for a great festive day trip from the capital. There’s also a smattering of delightful markets throughout Rome itself, the most notable of which can be found on Piazza Navona. If you find yourself in Rome over Christmas itself, you could be in for a real treat. Catholic churches around the world honor Christmas Eve by holding mass at midnight, and St. Peter’s Basilica is no exception; only this time, the Pope delivers mass himself. Reach out ahead of time, and there’s a chance you might be granted one of a small few free tickets to this very special midnight mass. While you’d have to be extremely lucky to see Rome in the snow, that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the seasonal chill. For a limited time throughout the festive period, the Auditorium Parco della Musica and the Ice Space Village offer excellent ice-skating rinks for those with the right balance or determination to enjoy, both of which open early in December. Events in December Feast of the Immaculate Conception Should you happen to be exploring Rome on 8 December to find the streets buzzing with processions and lined with locals in prayer, you’re witnessing the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Held to honor the conception of the Virgin Mary, this festival marks the beginning of the holiday season in Italy. The festival is marked by a couple of key events, the most important being the Pope’s Angelus Prayer on St. Peter’s Square, followed by his procession from the Vatican to the Piazza di Spagna. Another key tradition is the inauguration of St. Peter’s Square, during which many locals and visitors alike gather to see the unveiling of the Vatican’s annual nativity scene and Christmas tree.. Note that the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, or Immacolata, is a public holiday throughout Italy and is of great importance to many Romans. As such, many museums, attractions and services are likely to be closed for the day, including the Vatican Museums. However, most major stores and supermarkets in the center will remain open, along with a handful of restaurants, cafés and bars. Hanukkah Although Rome is known for being a predominantly Catholic city, it’s also home to a very substantial Jewish population. So substantial, in fact, that Piazza Barberini hosts an impressive annual event to honor the celebration. A 20-foot tall menorah is erected in the square, drawing in huge crowds as one of its candles are lit every evening of the festival. Whether you’re religious or not, this daily event is a great way to join in on some seasonal festivity. The lighting of the candles typically takes place at 4 PM on the Sabbath and the final day, and at 6 PM every other evening. Each evening is usually also accompanied by a night of partying and dancing, making for a truly joyful way to spend a winter’s evening in Rome. New Year’s Eve Though Christmas may be little more than a recent memory by this point, the festivities are still far from over. On the contrary, just about all of Rome veritably ignites with New Year’s Eve celebrations, making it one of the very best places in Europe to party away the twilight hours of the year. Many Italians traditionally spend the evening at home or among friends over cenone, or ‘a really big dinner’. Also known as the Festa di San Silvestro, many restaurants throughout Rome offer the meal as a set menu, often consisting in some degree of spiced sausages and lentils. These set menus will often come at a fixed price and may be accompanied by Prosecco and traditional cakes such as panettone or pandoro. One of the main epicenters of New Year’s Eve celebrations is along the Via dei Fori Imperiali, linking the Colosseum to the Piazza Venezia. Commencing with a late-evening concert, thousands of largely tipsy revelers flock to the area to attempt a collective harmony of Auld Lang Syne as a stupendous display of crackling fireworks bathes the Colosseum in a rainbow-strobing glow.
Robert Heaney
Red Vespas parked in a line
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Getting Around Rome

You've likely heard it said that all roads lead to Rome, but how do you get around once you're there? Home to some of Europe's most impressive historical landmarks as well as one of the seven wonders of the world, it's no wonder that visitors flock to Rome from around the globe to explore all that the city has to offer. While much of the city center is fairly compact and its top attractions relatively easily accessible on foot, there’s a number of other options to help you get where you want to be much quicker. Below are details for all major means of getting around Rome to help keep your trip running smoothly. Metro Rome’s metro system leaves something to be desired when compared to many of the larger and more extensive transport networks in Europe, but it’s faster than most overground transportation. While comprising only three lines, the metro mostly services key parts of the city center, including the majority of its top attractions. Line A (orange) runs diagonally from the northwest to southeast and is most useful for visiting Vatican City, Piazza di Spagna, Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon. It also stops at Roma Termini railway station, from which you can take a bus or train to both Fiumicino and Ciampino airports, as well as to many other major cities in Italy. Line B (blue) runs from the northeast to the south, passing close by the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. As with Line A, this line also intersects Roma Termini railway station. Line C (green) primarily connects the city center to the northern suburbs. For the most part, you’re unlikely to need to use this line unless you’re staying to the north of the city center. Urban Railway Rome’s urban trains, or Ferrovie Urbane, serve to complement the metro system and run under the same organization. Three lines extend the existing metro service to connect the city center to Lido, Viterbo and Giardinetti respectively. Operating Times Metro: Mon – Thu: 5:30AM – 11:30PMFri – Sat: 5:30AM – 1:30AMSun: 5:30AM – 11:30PM Urban Railway: Viterbo Line: 5:30AM – 10:30PMGiardinetti Line: 5:30AM – 10:30PMLido Line: 5:30AM – 11:30PM Exact service times will vary per service and may differ on public holidays, during large events or as the result of service maintenance. Important information such as metro routes, timetables and long-term disruptions can be found at all metro stations. Information regarding the metro network can also be found on the official service website. Bus In stark contrast to the metro, the Rome bus network is incredibly extensive – sometimes overwhelmingly so. Over 350 lines comprise Rome’s public bus transport system, offering virtually around-the-clock services throughout the city. Servicing over 8,000 stops, the bus network provides the most precise and widespread mode of public transport in Rome. The network isn’t without its faults, though. Given the nature of buses and the often extremely busy metropolis that is Rome, services can often be delayed by traffic and the buses themselves can get fairly crowded during peak times. Even so, as long as you aren’t in any major rush and can bear the sometimes cramped conditions, Rome’s buses are your best bet for getting where you want to go. The network comprises four types of buses, identified by the letter beside their service number. Urban (U) lines make up the majority of services within and without the city center. Express (X) lines typically service the outskirts of the city and offer a quicker turnaround on long journeys. Exact (E) buses serve to connect the city center with the surrounding neighborhoods. Night (N) buses operate in the early hours before the other lines begin their service. Operating Times Day Buses (U/X/E): 5:30AM – 12:00AMNight Buses (N): 12:00AM – 6:00AM Exact schedules will vary per service and may differ on public holidays, during large events or as the result of service maintenance. Important information such as bus routes, timetables and long-term disruptions can be found on each bus stop. Information regarding the entire bus network can be found on the official service website or via its Apple and Android apps. Big Bus Entirely unaffiliated with Rome’s primary bus network, a Big Bus tour is one of the best ways to get between some of the city’s top attractions. The tour passes by the likes of the Colosseum, Castel Sant’Angelo, the Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain, accompanied by optional pre-recorded commentary in nine different languages offering local insights for each important location. You can choose a ticket covering one, two or three days, allowing you to explore the city center at your own pace. Depending on your personal itinerary, this could potentially be all the transport you need during your trip. Visitors can hop on and off at their leisure or sit tight for a whirlwind tour of some of the capital’s best touristic offerings. Operating Times Termini Station: 9:00AM – 5:19PMPiazza Barberini: 10:19AM – 6:42PM Operating times may vary from time to time. Be sure to consult the Big Bus Website or Apple and Android apps for more up-to-date information. Trams Although more extensive than the metro service, operating a total of six lines, Rome’s trams aren’t usually of much use to tourists. Very few routes offer a viable means of getting between tourism hubs, but may still be useful if they stop close enough to your accommodation. Among the six available services, Line 8 between Torre Argentina and Trastevere is likely the only potentially useful one to most visitors. Operating Times Daily: 5:30AM – 12:00AM Exact schedules will vary per service and may differ on public holidays, during large events or as the result of service maintenance. Important information such as tram routes, timetables and long-term disruptions can be found at each tram stop. Information regarding the tram network can be found on the official service website. Taxis As with most destinations, taxis offer one of the most convenient means of getting around Rome. Officially licensed taxis are all white with a rooftop taxi sign and Roma Capitale printed on the front doors along with the taxi’s license number. While you can hail a passing taxi, it’s often cheapest to wait by a taxi rank. You can also call for a taxi directly, though this will typically be more expensive. Rome’s taxi drivers unfortunately have somewhat of a tarnished reputation for overcharging both tourists and locals alike, so it’s useful to have an idea of what you should be paying. Above all, you should always choose to pay a metered fare rather than an arranged price, except for airport and train station transfers which should always be the same price. Taxi Rates Min. Rate Mon – Sat: € 3.00Min. Rate Sun: € 4.50Min. Rate Night: € 6.50Journey Rate: € 1.10 – 1.60/km To/From Fiumicino Airport: € 48.00To/From Ciampino Airport: € 30.00To/From Termini Station: € 8.00 – 15.00 Telephone Reservations Radio Taxi: 06-3570Pronto Taxi: 06-6645Taxi Roma: 06-5551Taxi Tevere: 06-4994 Note that when ordering a taxi by phone, the meter will be turned on immediately from wherever the driver receives the call. You’ll be charged for the driver’s initial journey to your location on top of the rate for your own journey, as well as a € 3.00 reservation charge. Scooter While driving a car around Rome isn’t typically recommended, scooters and motorcycles offer one of the quickest ways for capable drivers to get around the city. Aside from being better for navigating the busy streets of the Italian capital, they’re also much more convenient to park and can be rented from various locations around the center. Most of the city’s historic center is closed to unauthorized traffic between 6:30AM and 6:00PM on weekdays, as well as between 11:00PM and 3:00AM on Friday and from 2:00PM to 6:00PM on Saturday. A number of Limited Traffic Zones also operate in various parts of the city. Be sure to consult official information surrounding these zones for permit and access details. Average rental prices can range anywhere from € 30 to € 350 per day depending on the size, specs and classification of the vehicle. Most rentals will also require a rather hefty security deposit of several hundred euros. Among the most popular and reliable scooter rental operators are Eco Move Rent, Roma Rent Scooter and BigaBike.
Robert Heaney
Things to do in Rome for a Birthday
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Things to do in Rome for a Birthday

Having some birthday celebrations in Rome? Look no further than our exciting guide on what to do and what to see on the big day! Buon compleanno!
Dom Bewley

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