| Rome
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| Basilica di San Clemente, Piazza San Clemente, Via Labicana 95
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Beneath the 12th-century street level church, there’s a 4th-century church. Beneath that is a Roman apartment dating from the 1st
century AD. You can explore the subterranean grottoes on your own. They lead to a public building dating from the great fire.
| Phone: | 06.77.40.021 |
| Hours: | 9AM to 12:30PM and 3PM to 6PM Monday through Saturday; 10AM to noon and 3PM to 6PM Sundays |
| Admission to the grottoes: |
3EUR
Admission to the church is free
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| Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano, Piazza San Giovanni in Laterano 4
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The Cathedral of the diocese of Rome, San Giovanni in Laterano stands on the site of a church built by Constantine in 314AD. The
church has been rebuilt many times since, and today the church is distinguished by its Baroque interior, designed by Borromini in
the 17th century. The cloisters, which date from 1220, are among the best in Rome. The attached Chapel of San Venanzio is
decorated with 7th-century mosaics. And the adjoining palace was the home of the Popes until the 13th century.
| Phone: | 06.69.88.64.33 |
| Hours: | 7AM to 6:45PM daily; closing at 6PM off season |
| Admission to the cloisters: |
2EUR
Admission to the church is free
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| Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, Piazza di Santa Maria Maggiore
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This monumental church combines nine centuries of Italian art and architecture. Highlights include the 5th-century mosaics in the nave,
the Gothic tomb of Cardinal Rodriguez, the 16th-century Capella Sistine, a beautiful coffered ceiling, and the tomb of Bernini.
| Phone: | 06.488.1094 |
| Hours: | 7AM to 7PM daily |
| Admission: |
4EUR
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| Botanical Gardens, Largo Cristina di Svezia 24
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Once the grounds of the Palazzo Corsini, the gardens were given to the University of Rome in 1883. There are more than 7,000 species here,
including palms, orchids, and bromeliads.
| Phone: | 06.686.4193 |
| Hours: | 9AM to 6:30PM Tuesday day through Saturday in Summer; 9AM to 5:30PM Tuesday day through Saturday in Winter; Closed in August |
| Admission: |
2EUR
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| Campo de’ Fiori, Piazza Campo de’ Fiori
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This is Rome’s best open-air food market. In addition to fruits, vegetables, fish, meats, cheeses, and wine, you’ll find flowers,
breads, and desserts. Everything you need to compose a world-class picnic.
| Hours: | 7AM to 1:30 PM Monday through Saturday |
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| Capitoline Museums, Piazza del Campidoglio
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Located on Michelangelo’s beautiful Piazza del Campidoglio, there are actually two museums, one of each side of the Piazza. Palazzo Nuovo,
on your right when you face the staircase, contains the bronze equestrian statue or Marcus Aurelius, the Hall of the Philosophers, and the
moving Dying Gaul. The Pallazo Conservatori contains a colossal head of Constantine, the Etruscan bronze of the she-wolf, and paintings by
Titian, Caravaggio, and Veronese.
| Phone: | 06.671.02.071 |
| Hours: | 9AM to 8PM Tuesday through Sunday |
| Admission: |
7.80EUR
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| Castel Sant'Angelo , Lungotevere Castello 50
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Built in 139AD as the tomb of the Emperor Hadrian, the castle became a refuge for the Popes during the Middle Ages. Visitors can tour the
splendid Renaissance Apartments, a museum of ancient arms and weapons, and the ancient prison cells below. An added bonus is the wonderful
views from the terrace.
| Phone: | 06.39.96.76.00 |
| Hours: | 9AM to 8PM daily |
| Admission: |
5EUR
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| Castroni, Via Cola di Rienzo 196
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A food lover’s paradise, Castroni stocks delicacies from all over the world, as well as Italian specialties. If it’s
worth eating, you’ll find it here. Not far from the Vatican.
| Phone: | 06.687.4383 |
| Hours: | 8AM to 8PM Monday through Saturday |
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| Colosseum, Piazza del Colosseo, Via dei Fori Imperiali
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Opened in 80AD with a 100-day program of events, the Colosseum held 50,000 avid spectators. Remarkably, they could leave through the 80
arched entrances in less than 10 minutes. From the top, you can see the underground passageways where lions were admitted to the arena.
| Phone: | 06.39.96.76.00 |
| Hours: | 9AM to 7:15PM daily, March through August; 9AM to 7PM daily, in September; 9AM to 6PM daily, in October; 9AM to 4:30PM daily, November through February |
| Admission: |
10EUR
includes visit to Palatine Hill
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| Domus Aurea (Nero’s Golden House), Via della Domus Aurea
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You can tour 32 of the rooms here at what was
once the most lavish villa in the Empire. You can make reservations in advance through Select Italy's website , a surcharge will be added.
| Phone: | 06.397.4907 Reservations required |
| Hours: | Currently closed for restoration, scheduled to re-open in 2008 |
| From: |
0 |
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| Fontana dei Trevi (Trevi Fountain), Piazza di Trevi
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The Trevi is Rome’s most famous fountain. Completed in 1762 according to the design by Nicolo Salvi, it’s young by Roman
standards. The central figure is Neptune in a chariot drawn by winged horses led by Tritons. Toss in a coin to ensure a return visit to Rome.
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| Fontana della Tartarughe, Piazza Mattei
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One of Rome’s most charming fountains, the Fontana della Tartarughe shows four youths with their feet resting atop the heads of dolphins. The
turtles, for which the fountain is named, may have been added by Bernini.
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| Galleria Borghese (Borghese Gallery), Piazza Scipione Borghese
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Reopened after a 13-year restoration, the Borghese Gallery contains some of Rome’s most dazzling art treasures. Bernini’s "Apollo and Daphne",
"David", and "Pluto and Proserpina" are here. As is Titian’s "Sacred and Profane Love", Raphael’s "Desosition", Canova statue of Pauline Bonaparte, and priceless
works by Cranach, Rubens, Caravaggio, and others. This is a must-see for any art lover. When you’re through visiting the museum, you can rent bikes to
ride through the park.
| Phone: | 06.32.810 Reservations required |
| Hours: | Tuesday through Sunday 9AM to 7PM |
| Web: |
www.galleriaborghese.it/default-en.htm |
| Admission: |
8.50EUR
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| I Bike Rome, Parcheggio di Villa Borghese, Via Veneto 156
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This bike rental shop is convenient for rides through the Villa Borghese gardens.
| Phone: | 06.322.5240 |
| Hours: | 9AM to 1PM and 3PM to 7PM Monday through Friday; 8AM to 10PM Saturdays |
| Bike rentals from: |
3EUR
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| La Rinascente, Largo Chigi 20
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Rome’s leading department store is good for ready-to-wear clothes, housewares, and accessories. Show
your passport and you’ll receive a 10% discount on perfume or cosmetics.
| Phone: | 06.679.7691 |
| Hours: | 9:30AM to 10PM Monday through Saturday; 10:30AM to 8PM Sundays |
| Web: |
www.rinascente.it |
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| National Etruscan Museum (Museo Nazionale di Villa Giulia), Piazzale di Villa Giulia 9
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The highlight of this collection housed in a 16th-century palace is the superb 6th-century BC sarcophagus depicting an Estruscan and his bride.
There’s also a reconstructed Etruscan temple, bronze sculptures, jewelry, and terra cotta vases.
| Phone: | 06.320.1951 |
| Hours: | Tuesday through Sunday 8:30AM to 7:30PM |
| Admission: |
4EUR
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| National Museum of Palazzo Venezia, Via del Plebiscito 118
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Built in the 15th century for a Venetian Cardinal who became Pope Paul II, the Palazzo Venezia now houses Rome’s finest museum of decorative
arts. The museum contains a double portrait by Giorgione, Renaissance paintings and wood panels, a large collection of ceramics and porcelain,
and terra cotta prototypes of Bernini’s Fontana del Tritone. The palace was Mussolini’s headquarters and he addressed the crowds from the balcony
in the center. The palace also hosts temporary exhibits, such as the Caravaggio show here in early 2001.
| Phone: | 06.69.99.41 |
| Hours: | 8:30AM to 7PM Tuesday through Sunday |
| Admission: |
4EUR
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| Palazzo Corsini, Via della Lungara 10
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The Palazzo was built for Cardinal Domenico Riario in 1510 and it was visited by Michelangelo, Bramante, Erasmus, and Queen Christina of
Sweden, who died here in 1689. Today, the palace houses the Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Antica which displays the work of Rubens, Caravaggio,
Van Dyck, and numerous Italian artists.
| Phone: | 06.68.80.23.23 |
| Hours: | 8:30AM to 1:30PM Tuesday through Sunday |
| Web: |
www.galleriaborghese.it |
| Admission: |
4EUR
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| Piazza Navona
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The oval shape of this lively meeting place reveals the original Roman racetrack on whose foundations the present Baroque structures were built.
The piazza is graced by three lovely fountains, including Bernini’s Fontana dei Fiumi (Fountain of the Four Rivers) in the center. There’s always
something happening here, and it’s great for people watching, night or day.
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| Pincio Gardens, Il Pincio
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Between the gardens of the Villa Borghese and Piazza del Popolo, these lovely terraced gardens provide wonderful views at sunset. Great for a
romantic stroll.
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| Porta Portese, Via Portuense e via Ippolito Nievo
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With more than 4,000 stalls, Porta Portese is the largest flea market in Europe. The array of goods is staggering. There’s furniture,
antiques, leather goods, housewares -- you name it, it’s here, And the people-watching is hard to beat.
| Hours: | 6:30AM to 2PM Sundays |
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| Roman Forum, Via dei Fori Imperiali
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Wander among the ruins and try to imagine the splendor of the ancient capital. You’ll see what remains of the Temple of Venus and Rome, the
Basilica of Constantine and Maxentius, the House of the Vestal Virgins, and the Arch of Septimus Severus. The little red book called "Rome, Past
and Present" will help you visualize the original structures. You can climb the Palatine Hill for beautiful views of the ancient city.
| Phone: | 06.39.96.76.00 |
| Hours: | 9AM to 7PM daily, April through September; 9AM to 4:30PM daily, October through March |
| Palantine Hill admission: |
8EUR
Includes admission to the Colosseum, Admission to the Forum is free
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| Romarent, Vicolo dei Bovari 7A
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Romarent rents bikes and has guided bicycle tours too.
| Phone: | 06.689.6555 |
| Hours: | 8:30AM to 7PM daily |
| Bike rentals from: |
3EUR
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| San Pietro in Vincoli (St. Peter in Chains), Piazza San Pietro in Vincoli 4A
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The chains which imprisoned St. Peter are displayed here. But the church is most famous for Michelangelo’s Moses, which was created as part of his
unfinished tomb for Pope Julius II.
| Phone: | 06.488.2865 |
| Hours: | 7AM to 12:30PM and 3:30PM to 7PM daily; closing at 6PM off season |
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| Sant Ignazio di Loyola, Piazza di Sant’Ignazio
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Built by Pope Gregory XV in 1626, Sant’Ignazio features a Baroque ceiling by Andrea Pozzo and a trompe l’oeil cupola, painted when funding
for the dome fell through.
| Phone: | 06.679.4406 |
| Hours: | 7:30AM to 12:30PM and 4PM to 7:15PM daily |
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| Santa Maria del Popolo, Piazza del Popolo 12
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Highlights of this Renaissance church on Piazza del Popolo include Raphael’s Chigi Chapel, some lovely frescoes by Pinturicchio,
and two paintings by Caravaggio.
| Phone: | 06.631.0836 |
| Hours: | 7AM to noon and 4PM to 7PM Monday through Saturday; 8AM to 1:30PM and 4:30PM to 7PM Sundays |
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| Santa Maria in Trastevere, Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere
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Built in the 4th century AD and expanded in the 12th, this was Rome’s first Christian church. There are magnificent mosaics in
the apse by Cavallini.
| Phone: | 06.581.4802 |
| Hours: | 7:30AM to 8PM daily |
| Admission |
is free
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| Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, Piazza della Minerva 42
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Not far from the Pantheon, Santa Maria Sopra Minerva is Rome’s only Gothic church. It contains art from the 13th, 15th, and 16th centuries, and
a fresco by Fillipino Lippi. St. Catherine of Siena and Fra Angelico are buried here.
| Phone: | 06.679.3926 |
| Hours: | 7AM to 7PM daily; cloisters are open 8:30AM to 1PM and 4PM to 7PM Monday through Saturday |
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| Santo Spirito in Sassia, Via dei Penitenzieri
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Rebuilt after the Sack of Rome left it in ruins, Santo Spirito in Sassia is decorated with some lovely 16th-century frescoes.
| Phone: | 06.687.9310 |
| Hours: | 7AM to noon and 3PM to 8PM daily |
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| St. Peter’s Basilica, Piazza San Pietro
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With it’s magnificent dome designed by Michelangelo, St. Peter’s is one of the most impressive churches in the world, as well as the center of
Christendom. The product of Renaissance geniuses Bramante, Raphael, and Michelangelo, the church is on the site of a basilica built by
Constantine in 349AD. Among its many treasures are Bernini’s Baldacchino -- the gilded-bronze canopy above the Papal Altar -- and
Michelangelo’s Pieta. You must dress appropriately to visit; the dress code is strictly enforced. The pope usually has an audience in St. Peter’s
Square on Wednesday mornings. To reserve tickets, visit www.santasusanna.org.
| Phone: | 06.6988.4466 |
| Hours: | 9AM to 7PM daily, closing at 6PM off season; dome is open 8AM to 6PM daily, closing at 5PM off season |
| Dome admission: |
4EUR
- Admission to the Basilica, treasury and grottoes is free
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| The Pantheon, Piazza della Rotonda
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Built in 27BC by Marcus Agrippa and rebuilt by Hadrian around 120AD, this is the best preserved Roman building in Rome. The only light is
provided by the 30-ft. oculus in the center of the magnificent dome. In terms of light, space, and construction technique, the Pantheon is one of the
most significant buildings in the history of architecture. It’s also lovely.
| Phone: | 06.683.00.230 |
| Hours: | 8:30AM to 7:30PM Monday through Saturday; Sundays 9AM to 6PM |
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| Treno e Scooter Rent , Stazione Termini
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Near the taxi stand of the central rail station, this company rents bikes and accessories
| Phone: | 06.4890.5823 |
| Hours: | 9AM to 7PM daily |
| Bike rentals from: |
3EUR
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| Trinita dei Monti, Piazza della Trinta dei Monti
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One of the few French churches in Rome, Trinita dei Monti carved a place for itself in history by having the Spanish Steps built. The church is
unremarkable, but the view from the landing in front of the portal is great for photographs. There are some mannerist paintings inside by a pupil of
Michelangelo’s.
| Phone: | 06.679.4179 |
| Hours: | 10AM to 1PM and 4PM to 6:30PM daily |
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| Vatican Museums, Viale Vaticano
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With precious objects dating from the 13th century BC to the present, this collection is so vast, you’ll only be able to see a fraction of it.
Stand-outs are the Egyptian Museum, the Estruscan Museum, and the Pinacoteca (picture gallery). The two must-sees here are the spectacular
Raphael Rooms -- painted by the master between 1508 and his death in 1520 -- and the Sistine Chapel, whose ceiling by Michelangelo is one of
the world’s great works of art.
| Phone: | 06.698.8333 |
| Hours: | 8:45AM to 4:45PM Monday through Friday and the last Sunday of the month; Saturdays 8:45AM to 1:45PM; 8:45AM to 1:45PM
Monday through Saturday off season. |
| Web: |
www.vatican.va |
| Admission |
12EUR
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| Villa Farnesina, Via della Lungara 230
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Built in 1508 as a pleasure palace for Sienese banker Agostine Chigi, Villa Farnesina contains fabulous frescoes by Peruzzi, Raphael, and his
students.
| Phone: | 68.80.17.67 |
| Hours: | 9AM to 1PM Monday through Saturday |
| Admission: |
5EUR
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