Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine with a Named Ticket
4 h 30All agesAll year
Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine on one €18 ticket with a reserved time; on sale 30 days ahead and named.
From €18
See the activity
Stay3–5 nights
Best timeMarch, April, May, October, November
RegionLazio
What to do
What to do in Rome
Each plan says how long it takes, who it's for and whether you can book.
Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel
3 h 30From age 8, with patienceAll year
Museum · 3–4 h · From €20 · Monday to Saturday
From €20
See the activity
Climbing St Peter's Dome
1 h 15No claustrophobiaAll year; in winter 7:30 to 17:00
Climb Michelangelo's dome, with a lift up to the terrace or on foot, and a view over the square; timed booking on the basilica's website.
Itineraries
Itineraries that pass through
Days and weekends already planned out, with how to get between each stop and who to book with.
Getaways from Rome
Plan the trip
Rome, step by step
Each choice narrows the next: the season shapes how best to travel, and how you travel decides where you stay and where you eat.
When to go
When to go to Rome
March to May and October to November, with mild days. In July and August the heat bears down on the Forum, which has little shade.
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Best timeGood timeLow season
How you travel
Rome your way
Choose how you're travelling and we'll tell you where to stay, how to get around, where to eat and which services you'll need. We only show the ways of travelling that make sense here.
Without a car: on foot, by metro and by train
Rome works without a car, and it is better that way: the centre is a limited traffic zone with cameras. You arrive by train from Fiumicino, walk through the historic centre, use the metro for the Vatican and the Colosseum and the tram for Trastevere. Day trips also leave by train: Frascati, Castel Gandolfo, Ostia Antica, Tivoli, Orvieto or Lake Bracciano.
90–220 €per person per day, approximate
- Where to stayHotel Santa Maria, in Trastevere…
- Getting aroundLeonardo Express from Fiumicino to…
- Where to eatPizzarium, on the way between…
- ServicesTourist Infopoint with the Roma…
Where to stay
- Hotel Santa Maria, in Trastevere, with free bikes
- Hotel Artemide, on Via Nazionale, ten minutes' walk from Termini
- The Beehive and YellowSquare, next to Termini, for an early start by train
Getting around
- Leonardo Express from Fiumicino to Termini in 32 minutes
- Metro A (Ottaviano for the Vatican) and B (Colosseo, Piramide)
- FL4 regional trains from Termini to Frascati and Castel Gandolfo; FL3 from Ostiense or San Pietro to Bracciano
Where to eat
- Pizzarium, on the way between the Vatican and St Peter's
- Felice a Testaccio, next to Piramide metro, open every day
Services
- Tourist Infopoint with the Roma Pass and ATAC tickets
- Termini station for day trips
Fly to Rome and take the train to the centre
Rome has two airports with direct flights from Spain: Fiumicino, the big one, with flights from Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, Málaga, Alicante, Palma and the Canary Islands, among others, and Ciampino, closer to the city, with some low-cost routes. From Fiumicino, the Leonardo Express reaches Termini in a little over half an hour without stops. In the city you don't need a car; if you are going on excursions to the Tuscia or the Castelli, hire it the day you leave, not before.
- Getting thereRome Fiumicino (FCO): Leonardo Express…
- Getting aroundOn foot through the historic…
- Where to sleepNear Termini if you arrive…
- ServicesLeonardo Express from Fiumicino to…
Getting there
- Rome Fiumicino (FCO): Leonardo Express to Termini, about 32 minutes without stops
- Rome Ciampino (CIA): no direct train; bus to Termini
- Civitavecchia, by boat from Barcelona with Grimaldi Lines, and regional train to Rome
Getting around
- On foot through the historic centre; metro for the Vatican (Ottaviano) and the Colosseum (Colosseo)
- Rome–Lido train from Piramide for Ostia Antica
- Metro B to Ponte Mammolo and Cotral bus for Tivoli
- Train from Termini on the Florence line for Orvieto
Where to sleep
- Near Termini if you arrive late or leave early on the Leonardo Express
- In the historic centre, Trastevere, Monti or Prati to do the city on foot
Services
- Leonardo Express from Fiumicino to Termini
- Day trips: Tivoli, Ostia Antica, Orvieto and Viterbo
Backpacker: hostels, pizza by the slice and fountains
Rome is not cheap for sleeping, but it makes up for it: state museums are free on the first Sunday of the month, the fountain water is drinkable and pizza by the slice is paid for by weight. The two hostels in this guide are within walking distance of Termini, from where the airport train and the day-trip trains leave.
45–90 €per person per day, approximate
- Where to stayThe Beehive, small and quiet…
- Getting aroundOn foot through the centre…
- Where to eatPizzarium and the Bonci counter…
- ServicesTourist Infopoint for the map…
Where to stay
- The Beehive, small and quiet, with a kitchen and courtyard
- YellowSquare Rome, large and sociable, with a bar and activities every night
Getting around
- On foot through the centre; metro only for the long journeys
- Leonardo Express or FL1 from Fiumicino; bus from Ciampino
- Regional trains for day trips, cheaper than coach tours
Where to eat
- Pizzarium and the Bonci counter at Termini, pizza by weight
- Da Enzo al 29, neighbourhood trattoria in Trastevere
- Hostel kitchen and the Testaccio market
Services
- Tourist Infopoint for the map and transport tickets
- Public fountains to refill your bottle
Luxury: historic hotels and terraces above the domes
Rome has some of the great classic hotels of Europe, and what sets them apart is the location: above the Spanish Steps or a step from Piazza Navona, with terraces from which you see the dome of St Peter's. It goes with private visits to the Vatican, dinners with views and private airport transfers.
From €600per person per day, approximate
- Where to stayHotel Hassler Roma, above the…
- Getting aroundPrivate transfer from Fiumicino, arranged…
- Where to eatImàgo, on the sixth floor…
- ServicesConcierge for timed tickets to…
Where to stay
- Hotel Hassler Roma, above the Spanish Steps
- Bio Hotel Raphaël, the ivy façade next to Piazza Navona
Getting around
- Private transfer from Fiumicino, arranged by the hotels themselves
- On foot through the centre: from both hotels you reach almost everything in twenty minutes
Where to eat
- Imàgo, on the sixth floor of the Hassler, with a Michelin star
- Mater Terrae, on the Raphaël terrace
- Salumeria Roscioli, for a Roman meal with a good wine cellar
Services
- Concierge for timed tickets to the Colosseum, the Vatican and the Borghese
- Private visits to the Vatican Museums
How much does it cost?
People2
Nights3
Who you're with
Rome for whoever you're with
A trip with a toddler is not the same as one with a teenager. Pick yours to see what works and what to bear in mind.
Rome with Children, at a Walking Pace
Rome is enjoyable as a family if you alternate a ticketed visit with some time outdoors. With children of different ages, leave the long queues for first thing and the afternoon for parks and squares.
- What works bestThe Colosseum: they recognise it…
- Where to sleepDistricts within walking distance of…
- Where to eatPizza al taglio, bought by…
- Keep in mindThe Forum and the Via…
What works best
- The Colosseum: they recognise it and the basic visit lasts 75 minutes
- The Via Appia by bike, through a car-free park among tombs and pines
- The walk through Trastevere up to the Janiculum, with the whole city at your feet
Where to sleep
- Districts within walking distance of the centre, to go back and rest at midday
- Near a metro stop if you are staying far from the historic centre
Where to eat
- Pizza al taglio, bought by weight and eaten standing up
- Ice cream in the mid-afternoon, as the Romans do
Keep in mind
- The Forum and the Via Appia have uneven stone: a baby carrier is better than a pushchair
- In summer, the Forum and the Palatine have very little shade
- The Vatican Museums are long for under-8s
What to do as a family
Rome for Curious Teenagers
What hooks a teenager most in Rome is what they have seen in series and video games: gladiators, emperors, Michelangelo. Let them choose one of the big visits and give them free time in safe squares in the centre.
- What works bestThe Colosseum's underground passages with…
- Where to sleepNear Termini or Trastevere, with…
- Where to eatSupplì and pizza al taglio…
- Keep in mindEU citizens aged 18 to…
What works best
- The Colosseum's underground passages with the Full Experience
- The Sistine Chapel at the end of the Vatican Museums
- Bernini's sculptures in the Borghese Gallery, in exactly two hours
- The Via Appia by bike, with a bit of effort
Where to sleep
- Near Termini or Trastevere, with transport to hand
Where to eat
- Supplì and pizza al taglio between visits
Keep in mind
- EU citizens aged 18 to 25 pay €2 at the Colosseum and the Borghese
- At the Borghese, under-18s do not pay, but they book too
What to do with teenagers
Rome with friends: cycling the Appia, pizza by the slice and dinner in Trastevere
Rome cannot be exhausted on a trip with friends, which is why it pays to choose one plan for the day and leave the afternoon free. What works best for a group is what you do without queuing: walking from Trastevere up to the Gianicolo, hiring bikes on the Via Appia and eating a pizza by weight standing up. The Colosseum and the dome need booking, and that is where you do have to coordinate.
- What works bestColosseum, Forum and Palatine
- Where to stayThe Beehive
- Where to eatPizzarium Bonci
- Good to knowDa Enzo does not take…
What works best
- Colosseum, Forum and Palatine: €18 with a booked time slot and a named ticket, on sale 30 days ahead. Buy for everyone at once.
- Trastevere and the Gianicolo: about 4 km, free, from Ponte Sisto to the Garibaldi viewpoint, 88 m above Rome.
- Via Appia Antica by bike: a car-free Roman road from Cecilia Metella, with a free park and bike hire separately; Tuesday to Sunday.
- St Peter's Dome: a lift up to the terrace or on foot, with a time slot booked on the basilica's website.
Where to stay
- The Beehive: a hostel next to Termini since 1999, with 4- and 6-bed dorms, two kitchens and a garden courtyard.
- YellowSquare Rome: a large, sociable hostel near Termini, with a bar with music and activities every night.
Where to eat
- Pizzarium Bonci: Gabriele Bonci's pizza by the slice, two streets from the Vatican Museums, sold by weight and eaten standing.
- Da Enzo al 29: a trattoria in Jewish Trastevere, no reservations and a queue; carbonara and artichokes.
- Felice a Testaccio: cacio e pepe tossed at your table, every day.
- Salumeria Roscioli: more than 350 cheeses and 150 cured meats beside Campo de' Fiori, for a big sharing board.
Good to know
- Da Enzo does not take reservations and there is a queue: go early.
- Felice a Testaccio opens every day and Roscioli daily: keep those two dinners for the nights with the most people.
- The dome requires a booking and the Colosseum ticket is named: everyone should carry ID.
What to do with friends
Where to stay
Where to stay without a carif you're flyingif you're backpackingin style
We show you what suits the way you travel.Change how you travel
The Beehive
Why we like it: Small hostel next to Termini since 1999: dormitories of 4 and 6 beds, private rooms, two kitchens and a garden courtyard for meeting other travellers.
YellowSquare Rome
Why we like it: Large, sociable hostel near Termini, with its own bar with music and activities every night, dormitories and private rooms, 24-hour reception.
Hotel Artemide
Why we like it: Four-star hotel on Via Nazionale, between Termini and the Forum, with 92 rooms, a small spa and a rooftop restaurant above the rooftops of Rome.
Hotel Santa Maria
Why we like it: Three-star hotel with 19 rooms in a 17th-century cloister in Trastevere, with an orange-tree courtyard, breakfast included and free bicycles.
Hotel Hassler Roma
Why we like it: Five-star hotel above the Spanish Steps, in the hands of the Wirth family for six generations, with 82 rooms and the Imàgo restaurant.
Bio Hotel Raphaël
Why we like it: Luxury five-star Relais & Châteaux behind Piazza Navona, with a façade covered in ivy and wisteria, 50 rooms and a plant-based restaurant on the terrace.
Services for this trip
Where to eat
Where to eat in Rome
From set lunch menus to Michelin stars. We mark the price level and what to order at each place.
Trattoria Da Enzo al 29
What to order: carbonara or cacio e pepe, Jewish-style artichoke in season, polpette al sugo and tiramisu
Armando al Pantheon
What to order: saltimbocca alla romana, a classic pasta (gricia or carbonara) and, in season, the artichokes
Felice a Testaccio
What to order: tonnarelli cacio e pepe (finished at the table), oven-baked abbacchio with potatoes and the ricotta and visciole crostata
Salumeria Roscioli
What to order: a board of cured meats and cheeses to share, one of the four Roman pastas (the carbonara is the most ordered) and wine by the glass
Takeaway and markets
Pizzarium Bonci, Rome
Nearby
Near Rome
The closest places, whichever country they are in.
Tips
Worth knowing first
- 1Group by area
One day for the Colosseum, the Forum and the Palatine; another for the Vatican and St Peter's; another for the Baroque centre and Trastevere.
- 2Start early
Queues and heat build up from ten o'clock.
- 3Drink from the fountains
The city's public fountains give drinking water. Bring a bottle and refill it.
Ticket websites that imitate the official ones
The Vatican Museums warn of similar domains that charge far more. Buy at tickets.museivaticani.va and ticketing.colosseo.it.
How do you get there from Spain?
Fly to Fiumicino, with direct flights from Madrid, Barcelona and other cities. From the airport to Termini station runs the Leonardo Express train: 32 minutes non-stop, every 15 minutes, €14. There are also flights to Ciampino, closer to the city but without a direct train.
How do you get around?
On foot, mostly. From the Colosseum to Piazza Navona and from there to the Vatican you walk along streets with plenty to see. The metro has few lines and doesn't pass through the historic centre; it's useful for reaching the Vatican (Ottaviano) and the Colosseum (Colosseo). Don't drive in: the centre is a limited traffic zone.
What do you need to book?
Three things, days or weeks ahead: the Colosseum, which sells its tickets 30 days ahead with a time slot and in your name; the Vatican Museums, only on their official website; and the Borghese Gallery, where booking is compulsory. The rest can be improvised.
Where to sleep?
It depends how you'll be getting around. Next to Termini you sleep more cheaply and have the airport train and the excursion trains at the door: the hostels The Beehive and YellowSquare are there, and a little further down, on Via Nazionale, the Hotel Artemide. In Trastevere, the Hotel Santa Maria occupies a cloister with orange trees. For a special stay, the Hassler, above the Spanish Steps, or the Raphaël, next to Piazza Navona.
Where to eat?
Roman trattoria cooking, by area. Next to the Vatican, the pizza by the slice at Pizzarium. In the centre, Armando al Pantheon, Monday to Saturday, and Roscioli, next to Campo de' Fiori, every day. In Trastevere, Da Enzo al 29, no reservations. On Sundays, when many classics close, Felice a Testaccio opens at lunchtime and in the evening.
Day trips from Rome
By train or car, in under two hours: Ostia Antica and Tivoli, the classics; the Castelli Romani, with Frascati and Castel Gandolfo half an hour from Termini; Lake Bracciano and its castle, on the FL3 train; the Etruscan tombs of Cerveteri and Tarquinia; the Garden of Ninfa and Sermoneta, only on its opening days; the monasteries of Subiaco; and, further north, Viterbo and Orvieto.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
How many days do I need?
Three days is enough for the essentials; with five you also see the Borghese Gallery, the Appian Way and a neighbourhood at an easy pace.
How much does the Colosseum cost?
€18 for the ticket with Forum and Palatine, €2 for EU citizens aged 18 to 25. The first Sunday of the month is free.
Which day are the museums closed?
The Vatican Museums open Monday to Saturday and the last Sunday of the month. The Borghese Gallery closes on Mondays.
Can you see St Peter's and the Vatican Museums on the same day?
Yes, but they are separate tickets. Do the museums in the morning and the basilica in the afternoon: in winter it closes at 19:00.
How do I get from the airport to the centre?
On the Leonardo Express from Fiumicino to Termini, 32 minutes and €14.