ROME, ITALY: LUXURY TRAVEL GUIDE TO THE ETERNAL CITY

Rome is the kind of city you visit a few times and still feel you’ve only scratched the surface. I’ve been twice now, and I’m already planning the next return. Beyond the iconic monuments and the postcard piazzas, there is always another quiet courtyard to slip into, another rooftop to watch the sun melt over the domes, another trattoria where a third-generation owner still rolls the pasta by hand. This Rome luxury travel guide is the edit I wish I’d had on my first trip — every hotel, restaurant, viewpoint, and small detail curated for travelers who want depth over checklists and beauty over rush. From the most quietly luxurious hotels in the historic center to Michelin-starred terraces, charming cafés, and the gelaterias actually worth lining up for, here is everything you need to plan a Rome trip that feels effortless, elegant, and entirely yours.

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Woman in white pants and blouse in front of the Trevi Fountain in Rome on an early morning with no crowds.
The famous Trevi Fountain, best visited early in the morning before the crowds.
Woman overlooking the Colosseum from a Rome viewpoint — best Colosseum photo spots in the historic center of Rome.
Woman in blue at the Colosseum in Rome — best things to do in Rome for first-time visitors to Italy.

The iconic Colosseum, largest ancient amphitheater ever built.

Inside this guide

Rome Travel Tips

CURRENCY — The official currency in Italy is the Euro. Credit cards are accepted almost everywhere, so you rarely need cash. Taxis are an exception and often want cash, which is one of many reasons I default to Uber in Rome (more on that below).

STAY CONNECTED — Wi-Fi is widely available throughout Rome, but for seamless connectivity from the moment you land, I recommend purchasing an eSIM before your trip. Airalo works perfectly in Italy and takes about two minutes to install.

DINING AND RESERVATIONS — Rome keeps very specific meal hours, and many restaurants close completely between 14:30 and 19:30. Dinner service typically begins at 19:30, sometimes later in summer. Always reserve in advance for the restaurants on your wish list — the best tables in the historic center book up days, sometimes weeks, ahead.

LIMITED TRAFFIC ZONES (ZTL) — Much of central Rome is a Limited Traffic Zone, which means non-authorized cars get hit with hefty fines if they enter the wrong streets. If your hotel sits inside one (most of the luxury hotels do), let the concierge know your arrival details in advance so they can register your transfer car. It is one of those small logistical details that ruins a trip if you ignore it.

Get to Rome

PLANE — Rome is served by two airports — Fiumicino (FCO) for long-haul and major European routes, and Ciampino (CIA) for low-cost carriers. There are direct flights from most major European cities and a growing number of direct routes from the US, including New York, Miami, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Atlanta.

TRAIN — Italy’s rail network is one of the most pleasant ways to move around the country, and Rome’s Termini station connects you to almost everywhere worth visiting. I always book through the Trainline app, which lets you compare Trenitalia and Italo high-speed routes in one place without the headache of the official websites.

Woman in white at the Spanish Steps with pink azaleas in May — most beautiful places to visit in Rome in spring.
The Spanish Steps covered in pink azaleas, in bloom every May.
Woman watching sunset at Ponte Umberto I with St. Peter's Basilica behind — prettiest sunset photo spots in Rome.
Sunset views of St. Peter's Basilica from Ponte Umberto I — one of the prettiest spots in Rome.
View from the Pincio Terrace over Rome — best viewpoints in the Villa Borghese Gardens and where to watch sunset in Rome.
The Pincio Terrace, a beautiful viewpoint inside the Villa Borghese Gardens.

When to visit Rome

Spring (March to May) — My favorite. The light is golden, the wisteria spills over the walls, and the Spanish Steps are decorated with hundreds of blooming azaleas in late April and early May. Bring a light layer, it can still rain.

Summer (June to August) — Hot, busy, and theatrical. Rome empties of locals in August and fills with travelers; if you can stand the heat (and the crowds), the rooftops at sunset are unforgettable.

Autumn (September to November) — A close second to spring. Warm days, cooler evenings, fewer crowds by mid-October, and the soft amber light makes every façade look painted.

Winter (December to February) — Underrated. I spent a January weekend in Rome and loved it — short queues, cozy trattorias, and a quieter, more local feel. Pack a proper coat; it gets colder than people expect.

How many days in Rome

Five days is the sweet spot for a first visit to Rome. It gives you time for the major sights, two or three slower afternoons in lesser-known neighborhoods, and a couple of memorable meals without rushing. If you want to add day trips — Florence, Pompeii, the Amalfi Coast, Tivoli — build in another two or three days. I spent five days here on my first trip and immediately wished I’d added more.

How to get around Rome

WALKING — Every city is best experienced on foot, and Rome more than most. The historic center is compact, the streets are made for wandering, and you’ll stumble onto more beauty by accident than any itinerary could plan.

UBER — Available and reliable throughout Rome. I default to Uber over street taxis — easier, transparent pricing, and no cash needed.

Lounge area at Six Senses Rome — where to stay in Rome for a stylish boutique hotel experience.
Interior of Six Senses Rome BIVIUM restaurant — luxury hotel review and best 5-star hotels in Rome, Italy.
Lobby bar at Six Senses Rome — one of the best luxury hotels in the historic center of Rome.

The stunning lobby bar at Six Senses Rome, one of the most beautiful luxury hotels in the city.

Where to stay in Rome

BEST FOR TIMELESS GLAMOUR: Orient Express La Minerva

BEST FOR ICONIC ROMAN HOTELS: Hotel de Russie

BEST FOR COLOSSEUM VIEWS: Hotel Palazzo Manfredi

BEST FOR DESIGN LOVERS: Six Senses Rome

BEST FOR MODERN COMFORT: J.K. Place Roma

BEST FOR A CHARMING BOUTIQUE STAY: Nerva Boutique Hotel

BEST ALL-SUITE STAY: Corso 281 Luxury Suites

BEST FOR FASHION LOVERS: Portrait Roma

BEST FOR ART AND DESIGN: The First Arte, Rome

BEST FOR A QUIET STAY: Margutta 19

Orient Express La Minerva

The first Orient Express hotel in the world, opened in April 2025 in a 17th-century palazzo just steps from the Pantheon. The restoration, led by artist-architect Hugo Toro, marries Italian classicism with Art Deco — travertine columns, Murano chandeliers, baroque frescoed ceilings, the works. The Gigi Rome rooftop restaurant and bar has sweeping views of the Eternal City, but my favorite room in the hotel is actually the glass-ceilinged lobby lounge with the harp accompaniment. Charming, cozy, and the ideal spot for an evening drink.

Hotel de Russie, a Rocco Forte Hotel 

Built in 1818 by architect Giuseppe Valadier, the Hotel de Russie has been hosting Europe’s nobility, artists, and stars for over a century — Picasso and Cocteau famously plucked oranges from its terraced gardens during the First World War. Today, under the Rocco Forte family, it remains one of the most beloved hotels in Rome. The 0.7-acre Secret Garden alone is worth the visit — I had one of the best lunches of my trip at Le Jardin de Russie, and the Stravinskij Bar might be the most stylish aperitivo in the city.

Hotel Palazzo Manfredi, Small Luxury Hotels of the World 

If you want to look up from your morning espresso and see the Colosseum framed in your window, this is the hotel. Palazzo Manfredi began as a 17th-century noble residence built atop the Ludus Magnus gladiator school, and its rooftop is the stuff of legend. The Court rooftop bar is stunning at sunset, the Michelin-starred Aroma restaurant offers one of the most spectacular dining views in the world, and several suites have direct Colosseum views from the bed.

Six Senses Rome

The first urban Six Senses in Italy occupies the UNESCO-listed Palazzo Salviati Cesi Mellini, a former cardinal’s residence near the Trevi Fountain and Pantheon. Designer Patricia Urquiola wove cocciopesto plasterwork, travertine, and warm, sculptural curves through the spaces — it feels modern, grounded, and unmistakably Roman. The Roman Baths-inspired spa and the NOTOS rooftop are highlights, but the whole hotel feels like a quiet exhale in the middle of the busy historic center.

J.K. Place Roma 

A small, discreet 30-room hotel in what used to be Rome’s school of architecture, designed by Florentine architect Michele Bönan. Everything about J.K. Place feels personal — the velvet-lined elevator, the library full of art and fashion books, the staff who remember your coffee order on day two. The location is unbeatable, with the Spanish Steps and the Pantheon both a short walk away.

Nerva Boutique Hotel 

Tucked beside the Forum of Augustus in the Monti neighborhood, Nerva is small, colorful, and full of character. Just 21 rooms, an on-site bar called Aurora Bistrot, and a location that puts you within a short walk of the Colosseum, the Pantheon, and the Spanish Steps. A good option for travelers who want personality and a great central spot without a big-hotel feel.

Corso 281 Luxury Suites 

A family-run all-suite hotel set in an 18th-century palazzo right on Via del Corso, a premier shopping street, near the Piazza Venezia end. Twelve suites only, each with a kitchenette in most categories, and breakfast served in your room or in the downstairs lounge. The personal touch from owner Natalino Gisonna and his team is what makes this place feel different — you get the privacy of an apartment with the service of a five-star hotel.

Portrait Roma 

Sitting directly above the flagship Ferragamo store on Via Condotti, Portrait Roma feels less like a hotel and more like the Ferragamo family’s private Roman residence. Fourteen suites, all designed by Michele Bönan, decorated with archival drawings and prototypes from Salvatore Ferragamo’s atelier. The real magic is the rooftop lounge, where you can have a cocktail by the fireplace with the Spanish Steps as your backdrop.

The First Arte, Rome 

A 29-room boutique hotel set on a quiet street between Piazza del Popolo and the Spanish Steps, filled with over 200 original contemporary artworks curated by Galleria Mucciaccia. The hotel is also home to Acquolina, a two-Michelin-star restaurant led by Chef Daniele Lippi, and the rooftop AcquaRoof has knockout views over the historic center. Genuinely one of the most aesthetic small hotels in Rome.

Margutta 19 

Set on the legendary Via Margutta — once home to Picasso and Fellini — Margutta 19 is an intimate 16-suite hotel that feels miles away from the crowds, despite being only a five-minute walk from the Spanish Steps. The street itself is one of the prettiest in Rome, lined with art galleries and ivy-draped façades. Worth it for the location, the sun terrace, and the calm.

Close-up of the Colosseum framed by trees from the Roman Forum — best Colosseum views and Rome historical sites to visit.
The Colosseum seen from the Roman Forum
Woman sitting with Castel Sant'Angelo behind in Rome — Rome travel guide and best things to do near the Vatican.
Castel Sant'Angelo
Woman in white in front of the Pantheon in Rome — best ancient landmarks and free things to do in Rome, Italy.
The Pantheon

Best things to do in Rome

Trevi Fountain

As of February 2026, you now need a €2 ticket to walk down to the fountain’s basin during prime daylight hours. Outside ticketed hours, and from the piazza above, the view remains free. Buy in advance via the official site to skip the line.

The Colosseum

Book the earliest possible slot and combine your ticket with the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill — they’re sold as a combined entry and you’ll want all three.

Spanish Steps

At their best in late April and early May, when they’re decorated with hundreds of blooming azalea plants. Pure Roman springtime.

The Pantheon

Now ticketed (a small fee). Go early or just before closing to avoid the densest crowds.

St. Peter’s Basilica

Climb the dome for one of the best views of Rome. There’s a small entry fee, and the line moves faster in the early morning.

Sistine Chapel

Part of the Vatican Museums visit (see below).

Piazza Navona

Best at dusk, when the lights come on and the cafés set out their tables. Bernini’s Fountain of the Four Rivers is the centerpiece.

Villa Borghese

Rome’s most beautiful green space. Rent a rowboat on the lake, or book the Galleria Borghese inside the park (timed entry, must reserve).

Roman Forum and Palatine Hill

Combined with the Colosseum ticket. Go in the morning for cooler temperatures and softer light for photos.

Monument to Victor Emmanuel II

Climb the rooftop terrace for one of the most underrated panoramic views of the historic center.

Castel Sant’Angelo

Once Hadrian’s mausoleum, later a papal fortress. Worth it for the rooftop terrace alone.

Vatican Museums

Book in advance for the earliest possible time slot — this place gets insanely crowded by mid-morning. If you want the full experience, splurge on a VIP tour that enters before public opening hours; some packages include breakfast inside the premises, which is as surreal as it sounds.

Capitoline Museums

The world’s oldest public museums, with the original She-Wolf statue and views from the Tabularium terrace.

Galleria Doria Pamphilj

A private family palazzo with one of the best art collections in Rome. Quiet, intimate, and the audio guide narrated by Prince Jonathan Doria Pamphilj is a delight.

Galleria Spada

Small but worth a visit for Borromini’s famous forced-perspective corridor.

Galleria Colonna

Open only on Saturday mornings — one of the most opulent baroque interiors in the city.

Chiesa di Sant’Ignazio di Loyola

The famous “mirror church,” where the floor mirror lets you photograph the trompe-l’œil ceiling without straining your neck. If you want a picture without a queue, plan an early morning visit — the lines can get very long by midday.

Ponte Sant’Angelo

The Bernini-flanked bridge in front of Castel Sant’Angelo. Stunning at any hour.

Ponte Umberto I

The best bridge in Rome for sunset, with a perfect framing of Castel Sant’Angelo and St. Peter’s dome.

Outdoor seating at Cucine del Teatro on Via dei Coronari — best restaurants in Rome for charming outdoor dining.
Outdoor dining at Cucine del Teatro, a charming restaurant on Via dei Coronari in Rome.
Aperol Spritz at Oro Bistrot rooftop bar with the Vittorio Emanuele II Monument behind — best rooftop bars in Rome with a view.
Aperol Spritz with a view of the Vittorio Emanuele II Monument from Oro Bistrot, a rooftop bar in Rome.
Painted Baroque ceiling of the Chiesa di Sant'Ignazio di Loyola — most beautiful churches in Rome and hidden gems in the historic center.
The breathtaking painted ceiling of Sant'Ignazio di Loyola, a masterpiece of Baroque trompe-l'œil by Andrea Pozzo.

Best experiences in Rome

A private after-hours Vatican tour

A small handful of operators offer pre-opening Vatican experiences with breakfast inside the Pine Cone Courtyard and a near-empty Sistine Chapel. Expensive, unforgettable, and entirely worth it for a special trip.

An aperitivo on a rooftop at sunset

Pick any of the rooftops below, arrive 45 minutes before sunset, order a Negroni, and let Rome do the rest.

A pasta-making class in a Roman home

Look for small, in-home experiences (rather than the big group cooking schools). You learn to roll fresh pasta in someone’s kitchen, drink Frascati, and leave with a recipe and a memory. 

Instagram spots in Rome

The best photo locations in Rome — from the obvious icons to the quieter corners locals love. For detailed information, including exact Google coordinates to my favorite shoot spots, you can check out my complete guide here.

Day trips from Rome

Florence

I would always recommend exploring Florence properly, with at least two nights. But if all you have is one day on this trip, use it — the Duomo, the Uffizi, and a Tuscan lunch make a perfect day from Rome by high-speed train.

Naples

Pizza in its birthplace, the National Archaeological Museum, and the most chaotic, beautiful old town in Italy. About 70 minutes from Rome by train.

Orvieto (Umbria)

A medieval hill town with one of Italy’s most striking Gothic cathedrals, easily reached in about 75 minutes by train.

Tivoli

The Renaissance gardens of Villa d’Este and the sprawling ruins of Hadrian’s Villa, both UNESCO sites, about an hour from Rome.

Amalfi Coast

Doable as a one-day trip with a private driver, but I’d suggest at least two nights to actually enjoy it. Worth every minute.

Tuscany

Best done with a private guide and driver — a day among the vineyards of Chianti or Brunello territory, with lunch at a winery.

Pompeii

The most evocative archaeological site in Europe. Combine with a Naples lunch or a half-day at the Amalfi Coast.

Pisa

An easy stop on a Tuscany day trip. The Leaning Tower deserves its hype, even if just for the photo.

Where to eat and drink in Rome

Cocktails at the lobby bar of Hotel La Minerva in Rome — best luxury hotels near the Pantheon in Rome, Italy.
Drinks at the lobby bar of Hotel La Minerva, a beautiful 5-star hotel just steps from the Pantheon.
Dining room at Le Jardin restaurant inside Hotel de Russie — best fine dining restaurants in Rome.
Glass-roofed terrace at Le Jardin in Hotel de Russie — most beautiful restaurants in Rome for a luxury dinner.

Le Jardin restaurant at the iconic Hotel de Russie in Rome

Fine dining in Rome

Acquolina

Two-Michelin-star restaurant inside The First Arte hotel, helmed by Chef Daniele Lippi. Italian seafood-focused tasting menus that lean Mediterranean, with three different progressions to choose from. One of the most refined seafood experiences in Italy.

Aroma

One-Michelin-starred rooftop restaurant at Palazzo Manfredi, with what may be the best Colosseum view in the world. Chef Giuseppe Di Iorio’s menu reads as classic Italian with Roman and Campanian accents, served on a 28-seat covered terrace.

La Terrazza

Michelin-starred restaurant on the top floor of Hotel Eden (Dorchester Collection), with sweeping views across the rooftops of the historic center. Chef Salvatore Bianco earned the restaurant its star in November 2025, with a contemporary Mediterranean menu rooted in his Campanian origins.

Mirabelle

On the seventh floor of Hotel Splendide Royal, with a panorama sweeping from Villa Medici to St. Peter’s. Chef Stefano Marzetti’s cooking is classically grounded modern Italian, and the sunset view is one of the most romantic in Rome.

Ineo

One-Michelin-starred restaurant inside the Anantara Palazzo Naiadi on Piazza della Repubblica. Chef Heros De Agostinis (Roman, Abruzzese, Eritrean) blends Italian traditions with global spice influences for one of the most original tasting menus in the city.

La Pergola

The only three-Michelin-star restaurant in Rome, atop the Rome Cavalieri on Monte Mario. Chef Heinz Beck has held three stars here for two decades. The signature dish — fagottelli “La Pergola,” a riff on carbonara — alone is worth the trip. Book months ahead.

Retrobottega

A Michelin-recognized contemporary Italian restaurant with two locations (one with a panoramic terrace by the Palatine Hill). Co-chefs Giuseppe Lo Iudice and Alessandro Miocchi forage in Abruzzo, the menu changes constantly, and the “Sabotage” surprise tasting menu is one of the best-value gourmet experiences in Rome.

San Baylon

Refined Italian inside Palazzo Ripetta, a 17th-century former convent between Piazza del Popolo and Piazza di Spagna. Executive Chef Christian Spalvieri’s seasonal menu pairs with an excellent signature cocktail list (developed with the Jerry Thomas Project).

Orma Roma

One-Michelin-starred fusion restaurant on Via Boncompagni, where Colombian-Roman chef Roy Caceres weaves South American and Asian influences through Italian ingredients. One of the most boundary-pushing menus in Rome.

Imàgo

One-Michelin-starred restaurant on the top floor of the legendary Hotel Hassler at the top of the Spanish Steps. Chef Andrea Antonini’s contemporary Italian tasting menus come with floor-to-ceiling views over Trinità dei Monti and the rooftops of the city.

Le Jardin de Russie

The garden restaurant at Hotel de Russie, serving creative Mediterranean Italian cuisine in one of the most magical settings in Rome. I had a long, slow lunch here under the citrus trees and it was the highlight of my stay.

BIVIUM Six Senses

The all-day restaurant, café, and bar at Six Senses Rome — sustainable, seasonal Italian cooking served in a courtyard that feels like a hidden garden. Excellent for a long lunch.

Marco Martini Restaurant

A one-Michelin-starred restaurant near the Aventine, with a winter-garden interior wrapped in greenery. Chef Marco Martini, one of Rome’s youngest Michelin-starred chefs, reinterprets Roman classics with technical precision and creative cocktail pairings.

Adelaide

The intimate, jewel-box restaurant inside the five-star Vilòn hotel near Piazza Borghese. Chef Gabriele Muro plates his native Campanian cooking alongside perfectly executed Roman pasta classics — amatriciana, carbonara, cacio e pepe.

Il Marchese — Osteria Mercato Liquori

Rome’s most beautiful osteria-cocktail bar hybrid, on Via di Ripetta. Roman classics with a modern hand, paired with one of the city’s most ambitious amaro and cocktail programs.

Roscioli Salumeria con Cucina
Tonnarello Scala in Trastevere

Trattorias and casual restaurants in Rome

Roscioli

The legendary Salumeria con Cucina near Campo de’ Fiori. Some of the best carbonara in Rome, an incredible cheese and charcuterie counter, and a wine list that goes on forever. Book weeks in advance — it’s tiny and constantly full. I loved every single bite.

Armando al Pantheon

A Gargioli family-run trattoria steps from the Pantheon, in the same spot since 1961. Honest, traditional Roman cooking — cacio e pepe, marinated artichokes, sour-cherry tart — at a level the third generation now upholds beautifully. Reserve well in advance.

Trattoria Pennestri

A modern Roman trattoria in Ostiense, away from the tourist crowds. The kitchen focuses on Roman classics like carbonara, cacio e pepe, amatriciana and gricia and a great wine list.

Da Cesare al Casaletto

A casual neighborhood trattoria with a large dining room and pergola-shaded outdoor terrace. Honest Roman classics, fritti to start, and the kind of cacio e pepe that ruins you for other versions.

Colline Emiliane

A family-run gem near the Trevi Fountain serving the regional cuisine of Emilia-Romagna — handmade tortellini in broth, Parma ham, Bolognese tagliatelle. Old-school in the best way.

Nannarella

A buzzy Trastevere trattoria popular for classic Roman comfort food, served fast and generously in a lively crowd. Good for a casual dinner.

Tonnarello

A perennially packed Trastevere trattoria (with multiple locations) known for huge portions of cacio e pepe served in a Pecorino wheel. Touristy but fun, and the pasta is genuinely good.

Moi

A newer, design-forward Italian spot with a clean, contemporary menu — somewhere between a trattoria and a wine bar, and a great choice for a more casual evening.

Best rooftop bars in Rome

Terrazza Clementino

At Rinascente Tritone, a casual rooftop with sweeping city views and the bonus of an ancient Aqua Virgo aqueduct running through the building below.

Vineria

A relaxed wine-focused terrace, perfect for an unfussy aperitivo with a Roman skyline backdrop.

Terrazza Monti

Set in the trendy Monti neighborhood with a clear view toward the rooftops of central Rome.

Mun Rooftop Cocktail Bar

A stylish, intimate cocktail bar with refined drinks and panoramic city views.

47 Circus Roof Garden

At Hotel 47, with a memorable view of the Marcello Theatre and the historic center.

NOTOS Rooftop

The Mediterranean garden rooftop at Six Senses Rome — one of the most beautiful new openings in the city, surrounded by aromatic herbs and terracotta.

Terrazza Borghese

At Hotel Splendide Royal’s sister property, with classic Roman skyline views.

Cielo Terrace

The rooftop at Hotel de la Ville (Rocco Forte), with one of the most iconic panoramas in Rome — directly above the Spanish Steps.

Adèle Mixology Lounge

On the rooftop of Hotel Splendide Royal, one floor above Mirabelle, with refined cocktails and the same sweeping sunset view across Villa Medici, Trinità dei Monti, and St. Peter’s.

Terrazza Borromini

On the upper floors of Palazzo Pamphilj on Piazza Navona, with what might be the best 360-degree view of the historic center, looking directly down onto Bernini’s Fountain of the Four Rivers.

Alto

A polished, contemporary rooftop with elegant city views and a smart cocktail program.

Terrazza Navona

A sleek hotel rooftop close to Piazza Navona, ideal for a quiet aperitivo above the action.

Zuma Rome

Atop Palazzo Fendi, with a contemporary Japanese izakaya menu and a chic, see-and-be-seen terrace.

Divinity Restaurant and Lounge Bar

At The Pantheon Iconic Rome Hotel, with direct rooftop views of the Pantheon itself — surreal at sunset.

Terrazza Les Etoiles

A long-standing Rome rooftop institution near the Vatican, with one of the closest views of St. Peter’s dome.

Mama Shelter Roma Rooftop

A playful, design-forward rooftop bar with great cocktails and a vibrant younger crowd.

Oro Bistrot Cocktail Bar

A polished cocktail terrace with city views, ideal for a pre-dinner drink.

Exterior of Il Caffè at the Bvlgari Hotel in Rome — best luxury cafes and boutique hotel experiences in Rome, Italy.
Il Caffè at Bvlgari Hotel
Exterior and window of Le Levain Café in Rome — best cafes and bakeries in Rome for breakfast
Le Levain Café

My favorite cafés in Rome

Il Caffè Bvlgari Rome

On the ground floor of Bvlgari Hotel Roma, indoor-outdoor, very elegant, and (importantly) open to non-guests. I had breakfast here on one of my trips and could happily have stayed all morning. Cozy, polished, and surprisingly easy to walk into.

Le Levain Café

A local favorite for excellent French-Italian pastries and proper specialty coffee. About a 20-minute walk from the historic center.

Love — Specialty Croissants

A small, beloved spot specializing in elevated, beautifully laminated croissants in unusual flavors. Worth the queue.

Caffè Doria

A posh Italian bistro inside the Palazzo Doria Pamphilj, with framed paintings, a historic fountain, and one of the most atmospheric breakfast settings in Rome.

Venchi ice cream in Rome Italy
Venchi
Giolitti ice cream in Rome Italy
Giolitti

Best gelato in Rome

Giolitti

The classic Roman gelateria since 1900, near the Pantheon

Come il Latte

Specialty gelato made with high-quality milk, served with a white-chocolate shell

Gelateria la Romana dal 1947

A historic institution with hot chocolate sauce inside the cone

Venchi

The Italian chocolate house with reliably excellent dark chocolate gelato

Gelateria Sweet Life

A newer favorite for creative flavors and proper texture

MYO — La Gelateria

A modern, design-forward gelateria with seasonal flavor rotations

Must-try local treats in Rome

Pasta alla carbonara

The Roman classic — guanciale, egg yolk, Pecorino Romano, black pepper, no cream. Have it at Roscioli or Armando al Pantheon.

Maritozzo con la panna

A soft, lightly sweet brioche bun stuffed with whipped cream, traditionally eaten for breakfast. Try it at Pasticceria Regoli or any neighborhood pasticceria.

Supplì

Rome’s answer to arancini — fried rice balls with mozzarella inside that pulls in long strings when you bite. Best from a proper pizzeria al taglio.

Suggested itinerary for 5 days in Rome

Intro paragraph on how many days are ideal and what the pace is like.

What to pack for Rome

Rome is elegant without trying — and your wardrobe should match. Think breathable linen and cotton in spring and summer, neutral palettes that flatter the warm Roman light, and comfortable but stylish shoes that can handle hours on cobblestones (skip stilettos; they will betray you). Layers in shoulder season, a proper coat in winter, and always something with sleeves and longer length for church visits — the Vatican and most basilicas have a covered-shoulders, covered-knees dress code. A silk scarf in your bag solves a lot of problems.

GOOGLE MAP PINS FOR ROME

Destinations to visit after Rome

Paris, France

The other great romance city of Europe. Long lunches, golden-hour walks along the Seine, and some of the most beautiful hotels in the world. See my full Paris luxury travel guide for hotels, restaurants, and the small neighborhoods worth seeking out.

Barcelona, Spain

Mediterranean light, Gaudí architecture, late-night dinners, and one of the most aesthetic food scenes in Europe. My Barcelona luxury travel guide walks through the best places to stay, eat, and explore beyond the obvious.

Athens, Greece

A short flight from Rome and a perfect cultural complement — ancient sites, rooftop bars with Acropolis views, and a creative restaurant scene that gets better every year. My Athens luxury travel guide has the full edit.

Other destinations to visit in Italy

Florence

Renaissance art, leather workshops, and arguably the best food in Italy. Two to three days is the minimum. My Florence luxury travel guide has everything you need.

Milan

Fashion, design, aperitivo culture, and the gateway to Lake Como. Underrated as a longer stay. See my Milan luxury travel guide.

Venice

Better in winter than in summer, in my opinion — fewer crowds, softer light, and a city that feels almost yours. My Venice luxury travel guide covers hotels, restaurants, and the quieter sestieri.

Lake Como

The most cinematic lake in Italy, and the perfect pairing with Milan. See my Lake Como luxury travel guide for villas, day trips, and the best towns to base from.

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I'm Maja Kamali

CEO, frequent flyer, self-taught photographer, and luxury travel content creator.

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