Is Rome Worth Visiting? Honest Pros and Cons (2026)
Rome is the only capital I’ve visited where I walked past a 2,000-year-old temple on the way to dinner and barely broke stride. I spent three days there one autumn, and I spent most of them with my neck craned up at ruins, domes and frescoes. By the end of each day, my phone was full of photos and my feet were done.
Rome is the capital of Italy, and it’s one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Europe. You get the Colosseum, the Vatican, baroque fountains, ivy-covered lanes and some of the best pasta you’ll ever eat, all within a few kilometres. It’s also crowded, hot in summer and full of tourist traps. Rome is worth visiting if you love history, art and food, and you’re willing to plan around the queues.
In this guide, I share the sights that stayed with me and the problems that nearly spoiled a few moments. I also cover where to stay, which tours to book, when to go, how many days to allow and how to get around. By the end, you’ll know if Rome deserves a place on your travel list.
Pros of Visiting Rome
1. Colosseum and Roman Forum
Nothing prepares you for the first time you step out of the metro and the Colosseum is just there, huge and scarred, across the road. It’s the symbol of Rome, and the Colosseum once held crowds of tens of thousands for gladiator fights and public spectacles. Inside, you can walk the tiers, look down at the exposed passages under the arena floor and get a feel for the scale. It’s more impressive than any photo. Book a timed ticket ahead, because walk-up queues can be long.
The ticket usually covers the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill too, and I’d see all three. The Forum is a field of broken columns and temple steps where Roman life played out, and Palatine Hill gives you the best views back over it. A guide makes the ruins make sense. The Colosseum, Forum and Palatine Hill tour lasts about two and a half hours with fast-track entry, and you can upgrade to the arena floor.
2. Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel
The Vatican Museums hold one of the largest art collections in the world, and the route runs for kilometres. You pass Roman statues, tapestries, the painted Gallery of Maps and Raphael’s Rooms before you reach the Sistine Chapel. Michelangelo’s ceiling is smaller than you expect and more detailed than you can take in. Staff ask for silence, and photos aren’t allowed. Dress modestly, with covered shoulders and knees.
The museums are closed on most Sundays, but they open free on the last Sunday of each month. That day is extremely busy, so I’d skip it. A guided visit makes the maze easier to follow. The Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel tour takes two to four hours with fast-track entry and an expert guide. Go first thing in the morning if you can, before the tour groups pile in. The rooms get hot and crowded by late morning, and the Sistine Chapel is the last stop, so you’ll be glad you arrived fresh.
3. St Peter’s Basilica
St Peter’s is the biggest church I’ve ever stepped into, and it still manages to feel grand rather than just large. Michelangelo’s dome rises above Bernini’s bronze canopy over the main altar, and Michelangelo’s Pietà sits in a chapel near the entrance. Marble, gold and light fill every corner. Entry to the basilica is free, but the security queue can wind around the square. Covered shoulders and knees are required, and staff do turn people away.
Climb the dome if your legs allow it. You get a close look at the mosaics inside the cupola, then a view across the square, the Vatican Gardens and the rooftops of Rome. The stairs are narrow and steep near the top. Come early in the morning or late in the afternoon, when the queue is shorter. You can add the dome to a visit with the Vatican tour that includes the basilica and a dome upgrade.
4. Pantheon and Piazza Navona
The Pantheon is nearly 2,000 years old and still has the largest unreinforced concrete dome in the world. Step inside and look straight up at the oculus, the round opening at the top. Light moves around the marble walls as the day goes on, and when it rains, the water falls through the opening onto the floor. It’s also a working church, so keep your voice down. You need a ticket bought online.
A few minutes’ walk away, Piazza Navona sits on the outline of an old Roman stadium. Bernini’s Fountain of the Four Rivers is the centrepiece, and artists set up easels around the edge. It’s lovely at night, when the crowds settle. This area was my home turf, and I walked through it every day. The Pantheon, Navona, Trevi and Spanish Steps tour lasts up to two and a half hours and includes pre-booked Pantheon entry.
5. Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps
The Trevi Fountain stops you in your tracks. The Baroque fountain fills a tiny square, with sculpted horses, Oceanus and water pouring over rock. You hear it before you see it. Toss a coin over your left shoulder with your right hand, and the tradition says you’ll return to Rome. I tossed one, just in case. Go at sunrise or after dark, because midday it’s packed. The square is small, and the crowd presses right up to the water, so a quiet moment there feels like a gift.
From there, it’s a short walk to the Spanish Steps, where 135 steps climb to the Trinità dei Monti church. The view from the top over the rooftops is worth the climb. For a different angle on Trevi, the Trevi Fountain underground tour is a 50-minute guided visit to the ancient aqueduct beneath the square. It starts on Via dei Crociferi, and you get a headset so you can hear the guide over the crowds.
6. Roman Food
Rome has its own food, and it’s simple and brilliant. The four classic pastas are carbonara, cacio e pepe, amatriciana and gricia, and each uses just a few ingredients. Add supplì, which are fried rice balls with a melting mozzarella centre, and pizza al taglio sold by weight from tiny counters. Fried artichokes in the old Jewish Ghetto are another must. Finish with a gelato, and you’ve had a perfect day.
A cooking class lets you learn the technique. The pasta and tiramisu class on Piazza Navona runs two and a half hours in a small group of up to 10, and you eat what you make. Order your morning coffee at the counter, because it costs less than sitting at a table. Locals drink it standing up in under a minute, and you’ll quickly pick up the habit. Pair it with a cornetto, and breakfast costs next to nothing.
7. Trastevere
Trastevere is the neighbourhood I’d go back to first. Ivy-covered buildings, cobbled lanes and washing lines hang across the streets, and in the evening the whole place fills with diners and wine drinkers. The mosaics in the Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere glow gold, and the square outside is the heart of the area. It feels like a village in the middle of a capital. I sat in the square one evening with a gelato and watched buskers and couples drift past. Book dinner ahead, because the restaurants fill up.
Come in the morning for quiet, and return in the evening for aperitivo. For an even better view, climb up to the Janiculum Hill, where the city spreads out below you. A cannon fires from the hill at noon each day. The Trastevere pasta class with food tour lasts three hours, with fresh pasta, wine and gelato, and it’s limited to 10 guests.
8. Galleria Borghese and Villa Borghese
The Galleria Borghese is a small museum with a huge reputation. Bernini’s Apollo and Daphne looks like living skin carved from marble, and the rooms also hold works by Caravaggio and Raphael. Entry is by timed slot, so you can’t just turn up. Visits last around two hours, which is just right. It’s far calmer than the Vatican, and the art is just as good.
The gallery sits inside Villa Borghese, Rome’s biggest central park. You can stroll the shaded paths, hire a rowing boat on the little lake or walk to the Pincio terrace for a view over Piazza del Popolo. It’s a good place to rest your feet after a morning of sightseeing. Pack a picnic from a nearby deli and eat it on the grass, which is cheaper and calmer than a restaurant. The Borghese Gallery ticket with audio guide app gives you a two-hour timed visit.
9. Appian Way and Catacombs
Most visitors never leave the centre, and that’s a mistake. The Appian Way is one of the oldest and most important Roman roads, and it still has its ancient paving stones, tombs and pine trees. Walk or cycle along it and you feel the reach of the empire. Along the road you’ll find the early Christian catacombs, where miles of tunnels hold the burial places of Rome’s first Christians.
The Aqueducts Park nearby has huge arches standing in open fields. The Appian Way and catacombs e-bike tour runs for four or six hours with a guide and a helmet, and the six-hour version includes a guided catacomb visit. It starts from a shop near the Colosseum on Via Labicana. It’s a great escape from the crowds, and the e-bike makes the distance easy. Wear comfortable shoes and bring a layer, because the catacombs stay cool all year round, even on hot days.
10. Day Trips
Rome is also a great base for day trips. Pompeii, buried by Vesuvius in 79 AD, is the big one, and you walk through streets, shops and villas that stopped in time. Tivoli is closer, and it has Hadrian’s Villa, an enormous imperial estate, and the Villa d’Este, famous for its fountain gardens. Orvieto, a cliff-top town with a spectacular cathedral, shows you a quieter side of Italy.
The Pompeii day trip lasts 9 to 12 hours, with skip-the-line entry and a licensed guide, and you can add Vesuvius. The Tivoli day tour covers both villas. The Assisi, Civita di Bagnoregio and Orvieto tour is a long 14-hour day. Pick one, and don’t try to do all three. Each day starts early and ends late, so plan something slow for the next morning. The trips are worth the effort if you have four days or more.
Cons of Visiting Rome
1. Crowds and Queues
Rome is one of the most visited cities in Europe, and the big sights feel it. The Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, the Pantheon and the Vatican can all be packed shoulder to shoulder. Queues for the Colosseum and Vatican Museums can last for hours if you don’t have a ticket. A photo at Trevi mostly shows the back of other people’s heads. It can wear you down, especially on a short trip.
Book timed tickets for the Colosseum, the Vatican and the Borghese before you arrive, and aim for the first slot of the day. Visit the fountains at sunrise or after dark, when the city is nearly empty and the lights are on. Quiet corners like Trastevere’s lanes and the Appian Way balance out the busy days. The crowds are real, but Rome is still worth it.
2. Pickpockets and Scams
Rome has a lot of petty theft. Pickpockets work crowded metro carriages, buses to the Vatican, Termini station and the queues at big sights. You’ll also meet costumed “gladiators” who pose for a photo and then demand money, plus people pushing roses, bracelets or “free” gifts. Fake ticket sellers wait outside the Colosseum. None of it is violent, but it’s annoying and it can ruin a day.
Keep your bag zipped and in front of you, and keep your phone in an inside pocket. Say a firm “no grazie” and keep walking when someone approaches. Buy tickets only from official sites or a trusted booking site. Official white taxis carry the Roma Capitale emblem, so avoid unmarked cars at stations. With a bit of awareness, Rome feels safe, and it’s worth every minute.
3. Tourist-Trap Restaurants
Eating badly in Rome is surprisingly easy. Restaurants right beside the Pantheon, Trevi and Piazza Navona often serve reheated food at high prices. Menus with photos, waiters pulling you in from the pavement and carbonara made with cream are all red flags. Many places also add a cover charge, called coperto, per person. I wasted one meal, and it hurt because Rome’s food is so good.
Walk two or three streets away from the landmarks, and the quality jumps. Look for short menus, a room full of Italians and handwritten specials. Monti, Testaccio and Trastevere’s side streets have plenty of honest trattorias. Check the menu for the coperto before you sit down, and book dinner ahead for popular spots. A little research turns the food into a highlight, and it still beats the hassle.
4. Cobblestones and Heat
Rome is a walking city, and it’s hard on your feet. Cobbled streets, called sampietrini, are uneven and slippery after rain, and the hills add up. In summer, temperatures often climb into the mid-30s °C, with little shade around the Forum and Colosseum. Even in cooler months, a full day of sightseeing means long distances on your feet. I ended each day with sore legs.
Wear broken-in, supportive shoes, and skip heels and sandals on the cobbles. Start early, rest in the middle of the day and carry a refillable bottle, because Rome has free drinking fountains, called nasoni, all over the city. Plan fewer sights per day than you think you need. The effort is small next to what you see, and it’s worth it.
5. Patchy Public Transport
Rome’s public transport doesn’t match the size of the city. The metro has only three main lines, and none of them reaches the Pantheon or Piazza Navona. Buses and trams run late, and they get packed. Transport strikes happen regularly and can stop the metro and buses for hours. It’s frustrating when you have timed tickets booked.
Most of the centre is walkable, so you’ll rarely need transport between the main sights. Check the ATAC site for strike notices a few days before you travel, and keep a taxi as a backup. Strikes are usually announced in advance. Rome is compact enough that one rarely wrecks a trip, so it’s still worth the planning. A few spare hours in the schedule also help if a strike catches you out.
Where to Stay
Centro Storico: I stayed near Centro Storico for three days, and I’d choose it again. The Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Campo de’ Fiori and Trevi are all within a 10 to 15-minute walk, and the lanes are packed with trattorias, bars and gelato shops, so you can stroll home after dinner. It’s noisy, crowded around the main squares and pricier than elsewhere, so ask for a room on a quiet side street. Antica Dimora Delle Cinque Lune is a budget-friendly 3-star near Piazza Navona with a restaurant, bar and terrace. 9Hotel Cesari is a mid-range 4-star near the Pantheon with soundproof rooms and a terrace. For a splurge, Hotel Lunetta is an upscale 4-star near Campo de’ Fiori with a spa, sauna and terrace.
Trastevere: Trastevere is the best choice if you want atmosphere. The lanes are quiet in the morning and lively at night, with restaurants and wine bars on every corner, and Santa Maria in Trastevere and the Janiculum Hill are close by. Centro Storico is a 15 to 20-minute walk across the river. The downsides are late-night noise around the main squares and uneven cobbles with luggage. Hotel Carmel is a budget-friendly 2-star with a terrace and free WiFi. Casa Mia in Trastevere is a mid-range 3-star with a garden and terrace. Donna Camilla Savelli – VRetreats is an upscale 4-star near the Janiculum Hill with a restaurant and garden.
Monti and the Colosseum: Monti suits first-time visitors who want ancient Rome on the doorstep. The Colosseum and Forum are a short walk away, the area has independent shops, wine bars and good trattorias, and it’s quieter at night than Trastevere. Termini station is close, which makes airport trips and day trips simple. The downsides are traffic on the main roads and fewer atmospheric squares. Hotel Canova is a budget-friendly 3-star with a terrace and lift. Hotel Colosseum is a mid-range 3-star with a bar and sun terrace. Duca d’Alba Hotel is an upscale 4-star with soundproof rooms and a concierge.
Prati and the Vatican: Prati is calm and tidy, and it’s a good pick if the Vatican is your priority. St Peter’s and the museums are a 10 to 15-minute walk, Via Cola di Rienzo has plenty of cafés and pizzerias, and prices are often lower than in the old centre. It’s quiet at night and a longer walk to the Pantheon and Trevi, though Metro Line A helps. Hotel Adriatic is a budget-friendly 2-star with soundproof rooms and a lift. Hotel S. Anna is a mid-range 3-star on Borgo Pio, a short walk from St Peter’s. Hotel Della Conciliazione is an upscale 4-star, also on Borgo Pio, with a garden and terrace.
Spanish Steps and Tridente: The Tridente is Rome’s elegant side, with designer shops, the Spanish Steps and Via del Corso. Trevi is a 10-minute walk away, Piazza del Popolo and Villa Borghese are close, and it works well for shopping and sightseeing. It’s polished and expensive, with a less local feel than Trastevere. Hotel King is a budget-friendly 3-star on Via Sistina with a terrace and a 24-hour front desk. Hotel Mozart is a mid-range 4-star with a restaurant and terrace. Hotel 87 eighty-seven – Maison d’Art Collection is an upscale 4-star between Trevi and the Spanish Steps with a spa and fitness centre.
Best Things to Do
These are the tours and tickets I’d book for a trip to Rome.
- Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill tour: A 2.5-hour guided tour with fast-track entry for a small group. You can upgrade to the arena floor.
- Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel tour: A guided visit of two to four hours with fast-track entry and an expert guide. You can upgrade to include St Peter’s Basilica and a self-guided climb of the dome.
- Borghese Gallery ticket with audio guide: A two-hour timed visit with an entry ticket and an audio guide app. Guided upgrades are available in English and French.
- Pantheon, Navona, Trevi and Spanish Steps tour: A small-group walk of up to 2.5 hours with pre-booked Pantheon entry, access to the paid area at Trevi and a headset. The meeting point depends on the option you select.
- Rome moonlight walking tour: A 2.5-hour evening walk with a live English guide, starting at Piazza Navona. It runs as a small group, or you can book it as a private tour.
- Trevi Fountain and underground aqueducts tour: A 50-minute guided visit to the ruins beneath the square, with headsets. You meet on Via dei Crociferi, where the guide holds a blue flag.
- Pasta and tiramisu class on Piazza Navona: A 2.5-hour class for up to 10 people at Ristorante Tucci. You get bruschetta, a drink and the dishes you make.
- Trastevere pasta class with food tour: A three-hour class for up to 10 guests, making ravioli and chitarra pasta, with wine and a gelato tasting. It starts on Via Natale del Grande.
- Appian Way, catacombs and aqueducts e-bike tour: A four or six-hour ride for up to 10 people, with a guide, helmet and e-bike. The six-hour tour includes a guided catacomb visit, and you meet at Via Labicana 49 near the Colosseum.
- Tivoli day tour: A day trip to Hadrian’s Villa and the Villa d’Este gardens with fast-track entry. Pickup options and exact times depend on the option you choose.
- Pompeii day trip: A 9 to 12-hour trip by air-conditioned coach with hotel pickup, a licensed guide and skip-the-line entry. You can add lunch, Vesuvius entry and a guided crater hike.
- Assisi, Civita di Bagnoregio and Orvieto day tour: A 14-hour coach tour from Roma Tiburtina station with free time in all three towns. The ticket for the Basilica of St Francis isn’t included.
Best Time to Visit
Autumn (September to November): My trip was in autumn, and it was a great time to go. The summer heat had gone, so I could walk all day in a light jacket. Queues felt shorter, and the light on the ochre buildings was soft. Rain arrives more often as November approaches, so pack a compact umbrella.
Spring (March to May): Many people call spring the best season. Temperatures are mild, the gardens are in bloom and the days are long. It’s busy, especially around Easter, so book tickets and hotels early. It’s the best time for long walks and outdoor lunches.
Summer (June to August): Summer is hot, with temperatures often in the mid-30s °C, and it’s the busiest and priciest season. Start early, rest in the afternoon and sightsee again in the evening. In mid-August, many locals leave town, and some small restaurants close for holiday.
Winter (December to February): Winter is cool and damp, with temperatures around 5 to 12 °C. It’s the quietest season, and hotels cost less. Christmas lights and nativity scenes make the city feel special. Days are short, so plan indoor sights for the afternoon.
How Long to Spend
1-2 Days: With one or two days, you can hit the big names. Do the Colosseum, Forum and Palatine Hill in the morning, then walk to the Pantheon, Piazza Navona and Trevi in the afternoon. Add the Vatican if you want a second day. A guided walking tour of the main squares is the easiest way to fit it all in.
3-4 Days: This is the ideal length, and it’s what I did, with three days. You have time for the ancient sites, the Vatican, the Borghese and a long evening in Trastevere. You can also sit down for proper meals without rushing. A fourth day lets you add the Appian Way or a short trip out of the city.
5-7 Days: With a week, you can see Rome properly and take day trips. Pompeii, Tivoli and Orvieto all work from Rome, and Naples, Florence, Venice, Milan and the Amalfi Coast are all easy to add if you want a longer stay. Keep one slow day for the park, a market or a long lunch.
Getting Around
On foot: Central Rome is compact, and walking is the best way to see it. The Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Campo de’ Fiori, Trevi and the Spanish Steps are all within about 20 minutes of each other. I walked nearly everywhere. Wear comfortable shoes with good grip, because the cobbles can be slippery, and expect plenty of uneven pavements.
Bike hire: Cycling in the centre can be stressful, with heavy traffic and cobbles. Shared e-scooters and e-bikes from Lime and Dott are available around the city, and you unlock them with an app. They’re handy for longer stretches, like the Villa Borghese park or the river path. Always wear a helmet, and avoid riding on the cobbles.
Metro, trams and buses: ATAC runs the metro, trams and buses. The metro has three main lines, A, B and C, and they work well for Termini, the Vatican area and the Colosseum, but they miss the historic centre. ATAC also offers tap&go and app tickets. The Roma Pass bundles public transport for a set number of days with entry to some sites, so check what’s included before you buy it.
Taxis and ride-hailing: Official taxis are white with the Roma Capitale emblem and a meter. You can pick one up at a rank or book through the FREENOW app. They’re handy late at night, after a long day of walking or when it rains. Confirm the fare before long rides, and avoid unmarked cars offering lifts at stations.
To and from the airport: Fiumicino (FCO) is the main airport, and the Leonardo Express runs non-stop to Roma Termini in about 32 minutes. For Ciampino (CIA), the shuttle bus to Termini takes about 45 minutes. For a door-to-door ride, a private transfer to Fiumicino takes about 45 minutes, and the driver waits up to 90 minutes after your flight lands. For the way back, line up the same type of transfer for your departure, or take the Leonardo Express from Termini.
So, is Rome Worth Visiting?
Yes, and it’s one of the most rewarding capitals in Europe. Rome gives you ancient ruins, great art, grand churches, beautiful squares and food that makes you plan your next meal during the last one. It’s walkable, layered and endlessly surprising. I left after three days feeling like I’d barely started.
It isn’t perfect. The crowds are heavy, pickpockets and scams are common, tourist-trap restaurants are everywhere, the cobbles and heat are tiring and public transport is patchy. Each of these has a simple fix, so none of them should put you off.
Rome is best for history lovers, art fans, food lovers and first-time visitors to Italy. If you want a city that rewards curiosity, it’s worth every euro. Book your big tickets early, stay in a walkable area and eat away from the landmarks, and you’ll have a trip you’ll talk about for years.
