Rome

Rome has a Mediterranean climate with cool winters and generally hot summers, which means that any time of year is good for visiting the city. The wettest month in Rome is December, and on average autumn and winter precipitation levels are higher than in London.

Rome in winter  - Rome’s coldest months are January and February. During these two months, it rains every couple of days but some days can be quite pleasant with high temperatures of 12°C (53°F). At night, the temperature can reach below freezing. If you don’t mind a little bit of cold, Rome is beautiful during winter.

Rome in summer - July is the hottest month of the year in Rome, although August is nearly as hot, with average temperatures of 25°C (77°F). Due to the high humidity, visiting the city during these months can be a little stifling. In August, many shops close and many locals leave on vacation.

The best time of year to visit Rome - The city of Rome can be discovered the whole year round. However, if you can, we recommend going in spring or autumn, when there are normally less hordes of tourists. However, if you don’t like large crowds, avoid visiting the city during Easter as this is when Rome has the largest amount of travellers. In autumn, it is more likely to rain than in spring.

Discover Rome's traditional cuisine and a list of our favorite restaurants. Once you get to this destination, don't forget to try its most famous products such as limoncello, ice-cream, Roman style pizzas or a good cappuccino. 

Italian cuisine is one of the most famous worldwide with an extremely rich variety of dishes and ingredients. Proof of this is that, nowadays, it is practically impossible to find someone who has not tried pizza, ravioli or lasagne.

Besides the different types of pasta and pizza, Rome has many other traditional dishes, including the bruschetta (toasted bread with oil, garlic and salt), the panini (a traditional Italian sandwich), the meat and fish seasoned with spices (such as the famous dishes 'a la Milanese'), the carpaccio, the cheese (especially pecorino) and the cold meat (bresaola, mortadella, prosciutto and saltimbocca).

Depending on your budget, it is possible to find all types of restaurants to cater for your needs. The following are ordered from the most expensive to the cheapest option to eat out in Rome:

• Restaurants: These serve all types of Italian food from vegetarian dishes to meat and fish dishes.
• Trattorias: Trattorias can be defined as small family restaurants. In these establishments it is quite common to ask for a single dish accompanied by a drink.
• Pizzerias: These are normally cheap restaurants that specialise in pizza. If the weather is good, why not order a pizza to go and eat it in one of the city’s lively piazzas?
• Pizza al Taglio or Pizza al Trancio: These restaurants sell large trays of rectangular pizza cut in square slices with thick crusts. They have a large variety of toppings, which are sold by weight. It is a good fast food option at lunchtime but, if you are looking for quality, pizzas made on the spot are usually the best choice.

In Rome, it is very common to be asked to sit next to others on a same table.

Although all areas of the city are full of restaurants and take aways, some of the best places to eat out in Rome are the streets surrounding the Trastevere, which is packed with traditional Italian restaurants, or Piazza Navona,  Campo dei Fiori, or the Pantheon. The streets in these areas have charming, authentic restaurants with terraces in which visitors can enjoy a delicious meal while watching the people go by.

The Metro of Rome only has three lines and is currently the smallest metro system in Europe. Nevertheless, it reaches the city's most important landmarks. 

Opened in 1955, the metro (subway or underground) in Rome has grown very little by little and currently only operates 37, 3 miles (60 km) made up of three lines. It is one of the smallest metros in Europe.

At present,  there are plans for the creation of a fourth line. The reason why the metro system is so limited is that each time a new tunnel is built, more archaeological remains are found; something which also happens in Athens.

Tickets can be purchased at the metro stations, at news-stands and in most corner shops. If you are planning to use public transport regularly,  we recommend that you buy a few tickets at a time or buy a travel card.

Bus - Since the metro lines of Rome are rather limited, visitors will most likely need the bus public transport system to get to certain parts of the city. It may not be the most comfortable or punctual form of transportation. Nevertheless, to get to certain monuments and museums it is essential to use the bus.

Currently,  Rome has 338 bus lines that run throughout the day, 22 night buses and 8, 260 stops. As traffic is an important issue in Rome, do not get impatient if the buses are delayed or if you get stuck in traffic jams, as it is most likely to happen and at any time of day.

Many bus stops now include screens with the number of the bus and when the next is due to arrive. 

Although it might seem like nobody in Rome validates their ticket, that is because they have monthly passes which don’t require to be inserted into a machine. However,  tourists must insert their tickets in a validation machine. 

Taxis - Unfortunately,  taxi drivers don’t have a good reputation in Rome. Many tourists and locals are continually overcharged. What's more,  taxi rates in Rome are considered quite high compared to certain European capital cities

Language spoken - Italian

Money - Euro

If shopping is a must when on holidays,  Rome is the place to visit. In Italy’s capital, you’ll find a wide variety of small shops selling traditional products, high streets, department stores and top international designer boutiques.

Rome has several very interesting street markets full of traditional products, art, clothes and antiques:

• Porta Portese Market: Only open on Sunday mornings, this traditional flea market that sells from books to clothes to cds is Rome’s largest street market. It is spread throughout the streets of Trastevere Railway Station.
• Mercato dei Fiori: This market is open every morning and mainly sells flowers, vegetables and fruit. It is located in the Campo dei Fiori and is very charming.
• Piazza Fontanella Borghese Market: It opens every morning except Sundays and is specialized in books and antiques. Visitors will find it near the Piazza di Spagna.
• Via Sannio Market: Five minutes from San Giovanni metro station is located Via Sannio Market. It opens on weekdays until 8 pm (approximately). It mainly sells clothes and jewellery.

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