First things first: the word bar means something slightly different in Italy. You are going to see signs all over town that say Bar. You absolutely can get a glass of wine or a spritz in a bar, but they serve a slightly different function. The Italian bar is more cafe than tavern and they […]
The 7 Traditional Foods You Have to Try in Rome
From pasta to pudding, you’re spoiled for choice in the Eternal City. Here’s our guide to traditional food in Rome. Italian food is very regional and every city has dishes which are peculiar to it. Knowing which dishes to look out for when visiting a city is, therefore, of the utmost importance since they will […]
Our Favorite Rome Restaurants by Neighborhood: Testaccio
If we had to pick one central neighborhood that just oozed Rome—for food, people and ambiance—it might be Testaccio. Located on the banks of the Tiber, Testaccio is one of Rome’s most popular neighborhoods right now, for its many restaurants, markets, and tranquil daytime atmosphere coupled with a whole section of nightclubs. It wasn’t always […]
The 9 Things You Need to Know Before Traveling to Rome
Like any strong-willed city with a rich history, Rome is complicated, and can feel overwhelming. But also like any city worth its salt, Rome is eternally worth it (you just have to get to know her a bit). Whenever we’re going to a new place, it’s always marvelous if we happen to know someone who […]
The 7 Best Bars in Trastevere for Every Kind of Night
Trastevere just might be the most bar-heavy neighborhood in a city whose idea of fun is sitting for hours outside with friends and a bottle of wine Located across the Tiber from the historic center, Trastevere is one of the capitals most popular neighborhoods, due to its beautiful little streets, accessibility via public transportation, and […]
5 Rooftop Bars in Rome That Locals Love
Who doesn’t love a drink with a view? Rome is astonishingly beautiful. Pretty much everywhere you look. There are no skyscrapers here so when you do get above street level the view is almost always expansive. On clear days you can see as far as the distant mountain ranges. Here are our favorite 5 rooftop […]
The Complete Vegan Guide to Rome
Our guide to vegan restaurants in Rome shows you that eating vegan doesn’t mean eating second best. It’s quite difficult to eat traditional Italian food as a vegan. Traditional dishes which are vegan are few and far between and are spread out amongst regional cuisines making them difficult to find everywhere. Neapolitan spaghetti with tomato […]
Our Favorite Rome Restaurants by Neighborhood: The Jewish Quarter
The Jewish Quarter in Rome and its restaurants are extremely popular with locals and tourists alike. The area of Rome known as the Jewish Quarter has a long, fascinating and sometimes tragic history. Set up in 1555 by Pope Paul IV, for the next three-hundred and thirty-eight years, all Rome’s Jews were forced to live […]
Our Favorite Rome Restaurants by Neighborhood: Monti
Monti is Rome’s first neighborhood and you will find it right next to the Colosseum. Technically it stretches from the Quirinale to the Cealian hills, but when people talk about Monti they usually mean the part in-between via Nazionale and via Cavour. It was a swampy slum filled with bordellos and taverns called the Suburra […]
The Best Pizza in Rome: Our 7 Top Picks
Not that it’s a competition, but Roman pizza is just as interesting as Neapolitan (and just as good). In Rome, pizza is everywhere. It’s rare to go more than two blocks without the smell of yeast and mozzarella wafting from some storefront. Romans eat pizza for lunch, as an afternoon snack, cut into little pieces […]
The Complete Vegetarian Guide to Rome
Whether eating in one of the specialist vegetarian restaurants in Rome or a mainstream one, you’ll be sure to eat well. Only a few years ago, it was hard to find vegetarian food in Italy. However, with 7–10% of the population estimated to live meat-free lifestyles, vegetarians are a demographic that Italian restaurants can no […]
5 Flea Markets in Rome for That Souvenir You Didn’t Know You Needed
If the swanky boutiques on the via Condotti and via del Corso are not for you, flea markets in Rome are the perfect place for some one-of-a-kind souvenir hunting. Many of the open-air markets are held on weekends and only accept cash. The best selection of items is first thing in the morning so make […]
The 5 Desserts You Have to Try in Rome, No Matter How Much Pizza You Ate
It is said that the Roman goddess of food and feasting was named Edesia. Your standard Ancient Roman goddess, Edesia was essentially in charge of ensuring a feast went well. Hosts of the time knew you’d do best to keep her happy, so they would offer some of the most delicious morsels from any feast […]
6 Parks and Green Spaces in Rome You Have to See to Believe
Part of what makes Rome such a beautiful and distinctive city are the marble monuments and pastel-colored palazzos but there are plenty of green spaces too. The cartoonish maritime pine trees are just as characteristically Roman as the Colosseum. Take a break from pounding the cobblestones and chill in one of these six parks & […]
Our Favorite Rome Restaurants by Neighborhood: Where to Eat in Centocelle
Centocelle is a neighborhood of contrasts, culture, and above all, good eating Located far from the center of town (but now connected to it via Metro C), Centocelle is quickly becoming one of Rome’s most popular neighborhoods. The former periphery of Rome, Centocelle is now inhabited by a mixture of working-class families, left-wing students and […]
Our Favorite Rome Restaurants: Vatican City
Looking for restaurants in Vatican City can mean avoiding a maze of tourist traps. Our guide to the area will help you eat with confidence. Since 1929, 100 acres of downtown Rome known as the Vatican City, have been recognized as the smallest independent state in the world. People flock there, not only because it […]
Rome Off the Beaten Track: 7 Things You Won’t Find in Any Guidebook
Rome has an incredible amount of world-famous and iconic sights. What is on your list once you have thrown your coins into the Trevi fountain, seen the Colosseum and explored the Imperial Forums? We have a few ideas to help you to explore Rome off the beaten track. Photo Credit: Max Dawncat, Text Overlay: Devour […]
5 Best Day Trips from Rome: Lake Bolsena, Orvieto & More
There are so many options for easy day trips from Rome. That includes Florence and Naples! When you have had your fill of cacio e pepe and Baroque in Rome you can hop on a train and in less than two hours you can be somewhere completely different and still be back in time for an after dinner gelato. Start your trip planning with our picks for five day trips from Rome.
Naples
Make sure you come hungry for a day spent in Naples. This southern city has some of Italy’s best coffee, pastries and of course it is the spiritual home of pizza.
After a strong sweet cup of coffee from Caffe Mexico and a hot sfogliatelle near the train station begin your day with some art. Giuseppe Sanmartino’s Veiled Christ at at the Museo Capello San Severo is astonishing. The entire chapel is pretty spectacular and if you spend a long time it will take about 20 minutes. Don’t miss the creepy-cool skeletons downstairs. There are three works by bad boy artist Caravaggio in Naples. If you can only see one we recommend the Seven Works of Mercy in Pio Monte della Misericordi. For the history lover go to the Archeology museum and if contemporary is more your scene hit the Madre.
You can sample at least three different kinds of pizza in Naples. Start with a pizza a portafoglio, a soft slice folded over and eaten on the go. Next, try a pizza fritta, a calzone shaped pie that is deep fried, usually stuffed with ricotta and ciccioli, crispy pork. For your last pizza experience sit down and order a classic Pizza Margherita which uses tomatoes, olive oil, fresh mozzarella di bufala and basil.
It is Christmas every day in Naples along the Via San Gregorio Armeno. Shop for handcrafted nativity statues that range from traditional biblical figures to modern celebrities.
Insiders Tip: Many of the newer Naples Metro stations have contemporary art installations. At the Toledo stop, while everyone is getting their Instagram shot of the multitudes of blue tiles, head upstairs and admire the magnificent frieze detailing the history of Naples by South African artist Willian Kentridge.
Florence
This Renaissance jewel is an orderly contrast to Rome’s chaos and curves. Don’t be fooled by Florence’s compact size. There is more history and art treasure here than is imaginable. The Arno river cuts the city into two distinct neighborhoods with eight bridges to connect them making it is easy to cross back and forth.
Start you day by climbing Giotto’s bell tower and map out the rest of your stops from the birds eye view over the city and out into the Tuscan countryside. One combined ticket allows you access to six different sites that include the famous Brunelleschi Dome and the very lovely Museo de Opera. This recently renovated museum displays more than 750 works of art spanning 700 years of Florentine history. If you have already tackled the Ufiizzi and the Academia you can make a stop the Museo Nazionale del Bargello.
Cross over to the Oltrarno and try a favorite Florentine snack, a lampredotto (beef tripe) sandwich at the stand in San Frediano. Trust us on this. This side of the river is packed with artisans workshops. You can see craft that dates back centuries like inlaid stone work and more contemporary art by popular street artist Clet Abraham. If you have not had you fill of art admire the exquisite collection at The Museo Bardini.
Tuscan food is hearty fare featuring beans and the famous T-bone Fiorentina steak. Have lunch at a traditional trattoria or if you are looking for something quick try the top floor of the Mercato Centrale that has all kinds of options to choose from. Shop for leather goods, perfumes and creams that are created from 16th century recipes and bold statement jewelry.
Orvieto
This dramatic Umbrian hill town sits on top of an massive hulk of tuff stone. Long on history starting with its Etruscan roots the height of Orvieto’s power was in the Middle ages when Popes ruled until unification.
From the train station or main parking lot take the funicular up to the historic part of town. The showy striped Duomo with its glittering facade is the star of the town. Don’t miss Luca Signorelli’s stunning fresco cycle inside. If you are looking for somewhere to cool off on a hot day roam in the subterranean tunnels and grottos that lie beneath the town.
The region is famous for its crisp white wine called Orvieto Classico that is perfect with plate of truffle dusted umbricelli pasta or wild pigeon in salmi, a rich dark sauce with juniper, rosemary and vinegar. Shop for painted ceramics and items like cutting boards and cheese knives that are carved from local olive wood.
Ostia
It is easy to combine some ancient Roman history and lunch at the beach with only a metro ticket. Don’t forget to bring a towel and a bikini!
Start at the Piramide/Porto San Paolo station and your first stop will be seven stops away. Ostia Antica is an archeological site to rival Pompeii. It once served the Roman empire as the main port city. You can wander amongst the ancient ruins that were once shops, taverns, baths and amphitheaters. Hop back on the train for a few more stops and pick one of the private beach clubs for a shy lunch and a snooze in the sand before you head back to the city.
Lake Bolsena
Bolsena is in Tuscia a little-known region of Lazio that borders Tuscany and Umbria. Deep Etruscan roots, Medieval history and unspoiled landscapes are just the beginning of its charms.
This volcanic lake was created a few thousand years ago probably by the eruption of the Vulsini volcano. After your visit, you can boast to your pals that you swam in the largest volcanic lake in Europe.
Update notice: This article was updated on July 14, 2023.
5 Street Food Bites in Rome & Where to Try Them
From ancient artifacts to the new snacks on the block, the Rome street food scene has it all. To misquote the old adage: ‘when in Rome, eat as the Romans do.’ And with street food experiencing a new popularity in the Eternal City, it’s a good place to start. Rome is positively teeming with everything […]
Best Gelato in Rome: 7 Sweet Spots to Try
Gelato is practically a food group in the Roman diet. You’re going to see this frozen Italian treat for sale in every neighborhood and near every famous monument. We recommend seeking out the good stuff, so we created this handy list of where to find the best gelato in Rome.