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Piazza Navona on a sunny day, with ochre and pink houses, a fountain and the obelisk at the far end.

Rome

Rome is a city where ancient ruins, Renaissance churches and everyday street life share the same streets. Come for the Colosseum and the Vatican, then stay for the squares, the fountains and long dinners outside.

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Population
≈ 2,700,000
Language
Italian
Currency
Euro (EUR)
Time zone
UTC+1
Best time
Apr – May, Sep – Nov
Nearest airport
CIA, 14 km
Start here

Start in the square: Piazza Navona

Piazza Navona, 00186 Rome

Piazza Navona keeps the long oval shape of the ancient Stadium of Domitian, whose foundations still lie under the houses around it. Bernini's Fountain of the Four Rivers stands in the middle, facing the church of Sant'Agnese. Come early in the morning or late in the evening, when the square is calm.

Within a short walk

  • PantheonPiazza della Rotonda, 00186 Rome300 m
  • Trevi FountainPiazza di Trevi, 00187 Rome900 m
  • Castel Sant'AngeloLungotevere Castello, 50, 00193 Rome700 m
  • Capitoline MuseumsPiazza del Campidoglio, 1, 00186 Rome1 km
Piazza Navona on a sunny day, with ochre and pink houses, a fountain and the obelisk at the far end.
Accommodation

Where to stay in Rome

Trastevere

1.4 km from Piazza Navona

Narrow cobbled streets across the river, full of trattorias, bars and ivy-covered houses. Lively in the evening and within walking distance of the centre.

Monti

1.4 km from Piazza Navona

The oldest district, between the Colosseum and Termini station, with small shops, wine bars and a local feel. Very central and well connected.

Prati

1.2 km from Piazza Navona

Calm, orderly streets near the Vatican and Castel Sant'Angelo, with good shops and fewer tourists after dark. A good base for visiting St Peter's.

Testaccio

2.5 km from Piazza Navona

A working-class district around a covered market and a hill made of broken Roman jars, known for traditional Roman cooking.

Experiences

Things to do in Rome

Landmark · 1.8 km from Piazza Navona

Colosseum

Piazza del Colosseo, 00184 Rome

The largest amphitheatre of the Roman world, finished in 80 AD, where gladiators fought before tens of thousands of spectators. Tickets are timed and usually include the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill.

Landmark · 1.2 km from Piazza Navona

Roman Forum

Roman Forum, 00184 Rome

The ruins of ancient Rome's centre of politics, temples and markets, next to the Colosseum. Climb the Palatine Hill above it for the best view over the site.

Church · 300 m from Piazza Navona

Pantheon

Piazza della Rotonda, 00186 Rome

A Roman temple almost 1,900 years old, with a concrete dome open to the sky through a single round hole. It is still a church, and a small entry fee applies.

Landmark · 900 m from Piazza Navona

Trevi Fountain

Piazza di Trevi, 00187 Rome

Rome's grandest fountain, built against the back of a palace in the 18th century. Tradition says a coin thrown over your shoulder means you will return to the city.

Landmark · 1.1 km from Piazza Navona

Spanish Steps

Spanish Steps, 00187 Rome

A wide Baroque staircase from Piazza di Spagna up to the church of Trinità dei Monti. Sitting on the steps is not allowed, but the view from the top is free.

Church · 1.7 km from Piazza Navona

St Peter's Basilica

Piazza San Pietro, 00120 Rome

One of the largest churches in the world, in Vatican City, with Michelangelo's Pietà and his dome above the main altar. Entry is free; cover your shoulders and knees.

Museum · 1.8 km from Piazza Navona

Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel

Viale Vaticano 6, 00120 Rome

The popes' art collections, with Raphael's rooms and the Sistine Chapel at the end of the route. Book a time slot online; the queue without one can take hours.

Landmark · 700 m from Piazza Navona

Castel Sant'Angelo

Lungotevere Castello, 50, 00193 Rome

Built as the tomb of Emperor Hadrian and later used as a papal fortress, beside the Tiber. The terrace at the top has a wide view towards St Peter's.

Museum · 2.3 km from Piazza Navona

Galleria Borghese

Piazzale Scipione Borghese 5, 00197 Rome

A villa full of sculptures by Bernini and paintings by Caravaggio and Raphael, in the Villa Borghese park. Entry is by booking only, in two-hour slots.

Museum · 1 km from Piazza Navona

Capitoline Museums

Piazza del Campidoglio, 1, 00186 Rome

Often called the oldest public museum in the world, on the Capitoline Hill, with ancient bronzes such as the she-wolf and a view over the Roman Forum.

Transport

Getting there

Ciampino–G. B. Pastine International Airport (CIA)

00043 Ciampino

14 km from the city centre

Rome–Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci International Airport (FCO)

00054 Fiumicino

22 km from the city centre

Roma Termini railway station

Piazza dei Cinquecento, 00185 Rome

Main railway station, 2.4 km from Piazza Navona

Weather

When to go

Average daytime high and night-time low per month (2005–2024). Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.

  1. 12°Jan
  2. 13°Feb
  3. 15°Mar
  4. 19°Apr
  5. 23°May
  6. 29°Jun
  7. 33°Jul
  8. 33°Aug
  9. 28°Sep
  10. 23°Oct
  11. 17°Nov
  12. 13°Dec
Monthly climate averages for Rome
MeasureJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °C121315192329333328231713
Low °C446913172121171395
Rain mm7378725155352324687912189
Rain days1110109106449101311
Daylight h9.410.511.813.314.515.214.913.912.4119.89.1
Events

The year in Rome

The biggest events that come back every year, starting with the next one.

OctoberFilm

Rome Film Festival

Around ten days of new international films and premieres at the Auditorium Parco della Musica, with many screenings open to the public.

MarchSport

Rome Marathon

A route through the historic centre that starts and ends near the Colosseum, passing St Peter's and the river. Many roads close for the morning.

21 AprilCulture

Rome's birthday (Natale di Roma)

The city celebrates its founding in 753 BC with parades in Roman costume, re-enactments and free entry to some city museums.

1 MayMusic

May Day concert

A large free concert in front of the Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano, with Italian bands and singers from the afternoon until late at night.

JuneFestival

Roma Pride

A large parade through the centre of the city, usually on a Saturday in June, with music and parties afterwards.

Good to know

Practical information

Currency
Euro (EUR)
1 EUR = 1.11 USD = 0.84 GBP (ECB, 28 October 2026)
Language
Italian
Plugs
Type C and F and L, 230 V
Emergency number
112, 113, 115, 118
Time zone
UTC+1 (summer UTC+2)
Country calling code
+39
Traffic drives on the
Right

Public holidays in the next 12 months

Shops and museums may close or keep Sunday hours on these days.

  • All Saints Day (Tutti i Santi)1 Nov 2026
  • Immaculate Conception (Immacolata Concezione)8 Dec 2026
  • Christmas Day (Natale)25 Dec 2026
  • St. Stephen's Day (Santo Stefano)26 Dec 2026
  • New Year's Day (Capodanno)1 Jan 2027
  • Epiphany (Epifania)6 Jan 2027
  • Easter Sunday (Pasqua)28 Mar 2027
  • Easter Monday (Lunedì dell'Angelo)29 Mar 2027
  • Liberation Day (Festa della Liberazione)25 Apr 2027
  • International Workers Day (Festa del Lavoro)1 May 2027
  • Republic Day (Festa della Repubblica)2 Jun 2027
  • Assumption Day (Ferragosto o Assunzione)15 Aug 2027
  • St. Francis of Assisi's Day (San Francesco d'Assisi)4 Oct 2027
Questions

Rome FAQ

When is the best time to visit Rome?

Apr – May, Sep – Nov, when the average daytime high is between 17 and 28 °C.

Which airport is closest to Rome?

Ciampino–G. B. Pastine International Airport (CIA), about 14 km from the city centre.

What currency is used in Rome?

The euro (EUR).

What plugs are used in Rome?

Type C and F and L, 230 V.

What are the biggest yearly events in Rome?

Rome Film Festival (October), Rome Marathon (March), Rome's birthday (Natale di Roma) (21 April), May Day concert (1 May), Roma Pride (June).

Umbria · 136 kmPerugiaPopulation ≈ 120,000
Abruzzo · 89 kmL'AquilaPopulation ≈ 34,000
Umbria · 75 kmTerniPopulation ≈ 110,000
Lazio · 58 kmLatinaPopulation ≈ 76,000

Last updated 29 October 2026. Spotted something out of date? Let us know.