About Rome |
The Trevi Fountain |
Q. How big is Rome?
Rome, or the Eternal City as it is widely known, covers an area of 1,285 square kilometres.
Q. What is its population?
There are approximately 2.8 million Romans.
Q. What is the language spoken and what is the currency spent?
Romans speak Italian and spend Euro.
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Things to See |
The Roman Colosseum |
Q. What is Rome's number one attraction?
Well whadyaknow - Rome's most instantly recognisable landmark, the Roman Colosseum, is the city's most visited attraction. In 2004 over 3½ million people visited it, over 12% more than in 2003. Built between AD72 and AD80, it is the most symbolic building in Rome and seeing it for the first time is hard to describe. Queues to get into it can be fairly lengthy at the best of times, but you can't leave without going in. Admission costs €10 but this includes entrance into Palatine Hill which overlooks the Roman Forum on one side and Circus Maximus on the other.
Q. Anything else which shouldn't be missed?
Where do you want me to start? First of all there is the Vatican Museum (admission €12), one of the most ornate museums in the world. It is believed that if you stopped at every piece of artwork there it would take approximately a year to cover. Just around the corner from it is St Peter's Basilica (admission free), another building which needs to be seen to be believed. Once you've seen all of them you need to see the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, Piazza Navano before walking through the Roman Forum.
Q. On average, how much does it cost to get into Rome's top attractions?
As you know by now, to visit the Colosseum will set you back €10, while the Vatican Museum is €2 more expensive. The average museum ticket is between €5 and €6. One of the city's most imposing landmarks, Monumento a Vittorio Emanuele (the huge building just up from the Colosseum) houses a museum that is free to get into.
Q. Where can you find Rome's finest architecture?
More like 'where can you not find Rome's finest architecture?' Rome is like an outdoor museum. No matter where you look you will see something which triggers an instant reaction to grab your camera. Many of the city's most awe inspiring sights such as the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, the Colosseum and the Roman Forum are all within walking distance of each other in Rome's 'Centro Storico' (historical centre).
Q. Anything else I need to know?
They say that if you throw a coin over your shoulder at the Trevi Fountain you will return to Rome one day. Make sure to do so (throw a coin that is - whether it will ensure your return or not will unfold in due course).
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Going Out |
The Spanish Steps at night |
Q. Is it expensive to go out in Rome?
While it isn't as expensive as, let's say, Paris, a beer in the Italian capital isn't as cheap as one in, let's say, Munich. The average price for a drink is €4. Some times it is better to drink wine, particularly in restaurants.
Q. Where are most of the bars found?
In the historical centre, the highest concentration of bars is around Campo de'Fiori, one of the city's most vibrant squares. Every side of the square has a bar on it. If you want to make the night a long one, the Tetaccio district is where you need to set your sights on. This is where most of the city's clubs are.
Q. Do I need to carry my ID with me when going out?
Once you pass for 19 or over, you shouldn't have any issues when getting into bars or nightclubs. If your appearance leans more to the 18 side of 19 than the 20 side, bring some sort of identification with you.
Q. Is there anything to do that doesn't involve alcohol?
Yes - sightsee. Many of Rome's landmarks look more magical under bright lights than they do under the soaring sunshine. The Trevi Fountain is particularly special after dark. Locals like to chill out on the Spanish Steps at night to do nothing other than people watch. If your funds are running low, this is a nice place to unwind after dark.
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Eating Out |
Piazza della Rotunda |
Q. Is it expensive to eat out in Rome?
Rome can be very strange when it comes to dining out. Restaurants around some of the most visited attractions can present excellent value to travellers, and then restaurants miles away from them can be more expensive, yet not necessarily better quality. Very strange.
Q. Where is the best selection of restaurants in the city?
The stretch of pedestrianised streets from Via del Lavatore (street to the east of the Trevi Fountain) over to the Pantheon/Piazza della Rotunda and on to Piazza Navona is peppered with restaurants. Some are within the range of the budget traveller, although naturally some aren't. For instance, Al Picchio on Via del Lavatore is a pleasant restaurant where you'll get well fed for under €10. In and around the Vatican City there are numerous hawkers handing out flyers offering meal-deals for restaurants in the vicinity.
Q. Are international cuisines well-represented?
Not particularly. Most eateries around the city centre deal in traditional fare such as pizza and pasta. The local-style thin pizzas are very tasty though. More and more ethnic restaurants are appearing around the city, but in relation to other European cities choice is limited to Italian gastronomy.
Q. What times do restaurants take last orders?
Later than in a lot of European cities, particularly in the warmer months. Seeing a waiter take an order after 11pm isn't strange practice.
Q. Anything else I need to know?
Before ordering, ask the waiter if there are any extra charges, namely 'cover charges' and 'service charges'. It's usually €1 or €2 for each charge, which won't be too much of a shocker if you're in a group but if you're eating on your own your bill can be nearly €5 before you get any food across your lips!
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Transport |
Roman metro in motion |
Q. How many different modes of public transport are there in Rome?
Five - bus, tram, train and metro and taxi.
Q. Is there one ticket which covers all services?
Nearly. Rome's public transport system is called 'Metrebus' which is a combination of the words: metro (underground), treno metropolitano (urban train) and autobus (bus). With Metrebus tickets you can travel on these three means of transport.
Q. Will I need to use public transport at all?
While Rome is a great city for walking, there are some metro stops in extremely convenient locations. For instance, the Vatican City is a decent hike from the historical centre, but you can get there within ten minutes via the metro. There are only two lines and they are extremely easy to use. A Metrebus (integrated) ticket which is valid until midnight on the day of validation costs €4. They're a good investment.
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