Rome Travel Guide : How to Love Traveling Rome as a Solo Traveler

Last Updated on January 18, 2025 by Christine Kaaloa

rome travel guide pantheon
rome travel guide pantheon

 

They say all roads lead to Rome. Maybe as a capital city of Italy that is true. ⁣⁣⁣

⁣⁣⁣But if you’re a traveler in the heart of Rome, it feels like all roads lead to some historical monument and as a female traveling alone, it felt incredibly surreal, awestruck, romantic and meditative to walk in this time capsule! How could I feel such diverse emotions all at once? Easy… I was in Rome during the Christmas holidays. Crisp air, celebratory lights and the occasional lit Christmas tree in some major piazza.

This Rome travel guide for solo travelers breaks down top Rome attractions but also tips for avoiding pickpockets in this infamous city.

This post contains affiliate links. I never leave home without travel insurance- I like to buy insurance that covers theft and adventure but here’s a trip insurance finder tool  to find a plan that matches your budget. Read more about coverage options for U.S. travelers.

rome tips christmas tree
rome tips christmas tree
christmas tree in this square
christmas tree in this square

 

Introduction: What is Rome Like?

One of my favorite Italian cities is Rome. From the moment my airport van entered the city, I saw the suburbs, the graffiti on walls and I began to feel the vibe and that I was going to love it. Rome has a touch of New York grit that protects its historical gems!

This was my second trip to Rome but I was going to stay for a bit longer than my last trip, which was a whirlwind. My first trip of Rome, I was on a Globus group tour with my sisters, experiencing seven countries and their top highlights.  Rome was crammed into our itinerary for one and a half days.

This time, I was staying smack dab in the middle of Rome in a glamourous Airbnb apartment overlooking Trevi Fountain (see the video linked at the bottom of this post), feeling the pulse of the city. I was alone, a little nervous but excited. Trevi Fountain was one of my most memorable highlights of the city and of course, waking up to views of it magnifies your experience!

What I love about Rome it is a walkable city with rich history and religious sites. There’s a lot of top places to visit in Rome- maybe not as much as Florence, but you will not get bored.  Rome is a living, breathing time capsule of rich historical monuments and ruins, living side-by-side modern Roman lifestyles.

There are many jaw-dropping Rome attractions to choose from: art galleries, churches, monumental ruins and shopping, museums and restaurants. Additionally, you are in walking distance from the Vatican City, which is its own country as well.

The best way to explore the city is by taking a guided tour or just by walking around on your own.

My rome walking map and the amount of steps I took
My rome walking map and the amount of steps I took to do this itinerary

Watch my Rome Travel Guide for Solo Travelers

In this video I share my walking tour of Rome, Rome attractions and explorations of Vatican City. You can do it all on foot and alone!

The Ultimate Rome Guide for Solo Travelers & First Timers

19 Best Things to Do in Rome

What most don’t know is that most of the main city highlights are all centrally located. I stayed next to the Trevi Fountain- all sites were roughly a 10-20 minute walk away. Maybe even less. It made for the perfect home base for my Rome explorations.

1. Via Dei Condotti

Via Dei Condotti is a high-fashion street with famous Italian designer boutiques, like Dolce and Gabbana, Prada, Bulgari, Versace, Valentino… the list goes on. If you wanted to come here and lose your money or spend it luxuriously, you could do it here very easily on the street. I’m not a traveler that loves to shop designer labels but I love the festive vibe here and the window dressing. It also connects to a well-known square, Piazza Di Spagna.

via condotti
via dei condotti

2. Piazza Di Spagna

The Piazza Di Spagna (the Spanish Square) is a beautiful historical square which was once known to be a writer’s square, because famous writers and artists wanted to live and show their works here. Today, this square invites both tourists and locals doing their boutique shopping, but it houses a few top Rome attractions as well.

Note: There are horse carriage rides sold in this square. It’s really sad to see that they’re still being used these days. I personally do not support animal exploitation, because they are used to make profit and often overworked despite harsh weather conditions. By supporting animal exploitation, travelers vote for it with their tourist dollars. Check out 30 Ethical Travel Tips

rome tips view from spanish steps
rome tips view from spanish steps

3. Column of the Immaculate Conception

The Column of the Immaculate Conception is erected in Rome, Italy and is a major landmark of Baroque architecture. It wasn’t life changing to me, but I point it out because what drew me to it was my curiosity upon seeing the flower bouquets placed by the public. It looked like a memorial and only later did I find out what it was.

The column measures 30 meters tall and was built in 1667 as a symbol of Pope Alexander VII’s victory over the Ottoman Empire. It is situated in Piazza Di Spagna near the Keats-Shelley Memorial House.

4. Keats-Shelley Memorial House

Located at the base of the Spanish Steps at 26 Piazza Di Spagna, you’ll find the Keats-Shelley Memorial House. It was once a flat for the romantic poets, John Keats and Percy-Blythe Shelley. You can visit Keats’ room, which overlooks the Piazza Di Spagna square or you can look at his window from the streets.  Around 8000 volumes of British romantic writing is housed in this house.

5. Spanish Steps

The Spanish Steps is a famous stairway with 135 stairs. It’s built in a Baroque style, which is one of the most popular architectural styles in this area.

Looking at it made me wish I had a long, flowing romantic girlie dress just so I could ascend and descend it while getting selfies. Then I realized I didn’t have anyone to take my photos and my fantasy snapped right back into my jeans!

rome tips christmas tree
rome tips christmas tree

6. Fontana della Barcaccia

This fountain may be small but it commands a lot of attention from passerbys and it’s a perfect fountain to start your excursion of Roman fountains.  At the base of the Spanish Steps you’ll find Fontana della Barcaccia otherwise known as Fountain of the Boat. It was built in 1623 by Italian Baroque sculptor and painter Pietro Bernini and his son. No one knows it’s true meaning, but the fountain is of a ship spouting water.

Pro-Tip: Get a photograph of it with the Spanish Steps behind it. It’s not as epic as the Trevi Fountain but it’s still stunning and gives you awestruck vibes.

Fontana della Barcaccia
Fontana della Barcaccia

7. Via dei Corso

Via del Corso used to be the main street of Rome but due to development, it now houses many boutique shops and invites a ton of shopping. Peek your head into some of its shops to explore Roman shopping tastes.

Ofshoot streets take you into more shopping and businesses. I don’t think there’s many budget shops here, but the architecture in this neighborhood is really beautiful for strolling. It’s similar to Via Dei Condotti but not as upscale.

Christmas in Italy snow globe
Christmas in Italy

8. Column of Marcus Aurelius and Piazza Colonna

In Piazza Colonna (Column Square) you’ll notice the Column of Marcus Aurelius. The monument stands as a tribute celebrating the victory of Marcus Aurelius, as one of the “Five Good Emperors” and famous Stoic philosophers of antiquity. The column has detailed reliefs carved on it wrapping around the column as if telling an epic story. It’s a pretty impressive piece of artwork, and it’s very high.

This piazza is easy to miss however, because it’s a very tall column but the square looks a little plain.

Romans however, recognize it due to its weighty political importance. The square houses governmental offices– one of the buildings was for the Prime Minister, so the police patrol the area a lot.

Pro-Tip:  It’s helpful to bring with a copy of your passport along with you in the case you’re asked for documents.

10. Pantheon

I’ll be frank- I passed this building a few times looking for the Pantheon, because I didn’t know this was it. It’s not very garish or ruin-y on the outside, but then step inside and it’s like wowzers. The Pantheon is a Roman temple in Rome that is considered the best preserved of all Roman buildings in the city. It was built by Emperor Hadrian around 125 AD and is one of the best preserved buildings from ancient Rome. It was converted into a church in 608.

There are fun gargoyle fountains outside that I found humorous and a little more interesting than the Pantheon. Check them ou.

rome tips pantheon
rome tips pantheon
parthenon fountain
parthenon fountain
pantheon vertical
pantheon vertical

11. Piazza di Navona

An overlooked historical square is the Piazza Navona. Please do NOT miss this attraction. The Baroque styled square houses a beautiful fountain which perhaps rivals the Trevi Fountain! This is Bernini’s Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi, from which rises a column crowned by an obelisk, symbolizing four rivers which

12. Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi

Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi (aka Fountain of the Four Rivers) is an impressive fountain built by Gian Lorenzo Bernini in 1651. The fountain isn’t as big as the Trevi Fountain, but the sculpture is quite large and you can walk around it. Check out my Rome travel video for the full effect.

13. Stadium of Domitian

Did you know that Rome is sinking? Like various parts of Italy. Today’s Rome is literally built over the old city of Rome, meaning, parts of Rome have actually sunken, and a new Rome is built over it.

The Stadium of Domitian is an archaeological site of Rome’s old Olympic stadium which is a subterranean stadium. The Olympic stadium was completed around 100 AD as a monument to Emperor Domitian and hosted many sporting events and celebrations. You can visit it. I was a little cheap and didn’t want to spend the admission fee, but as soon as I left it, I regretted it. Please live grander than me- check it out if you have time!

14.Cross the Ponte Sant’Angelo

The Bridge of Castle St Angelo, also known as Ponte Sant’Angelo, a stone-arched bridge in Rome, Italy, spanning the Tiber to the east of the ancient walls of Rome. It was constructed by Emperor Hadrian for whom it is named. It’s an okay bridge with stone statues to guard your crossing into Hadrian’s Mausoleum.

But  I like the view from it and the fact it gets you to the other bank where you can walk to Vatican City. See the second photo below where you can see Vatican city.

Bridge of Castle St Angelo Rome
Bridge of Castle St Angelo Rome. You can see the rotund Hadrian’s Mausoleum across it.
Bridge of Castle St Angelo Rome
View from Bridge of Castle St Angelo Rome, where you can see Vatican City

15. Mausoleum of Hadrian (aka Castel St. Angelo)

The Mausoleum of Hadrian (photo above with me and bridge) is a large marble building in Rome, Italy. It was completed around 135 AD and is often called Castel St. Angelo. The mausoleum was commissioned by the Roman emperor Hadrian as a memorial to himself and his family. Located across Ponte Sant’Angelo.

16. Trevi Fountain

Trevi Fountain is the most beautiful fountain in Rome and quite possibly all of Italy! Crowds or no crowds you’ll love the stunning marble fountain and push your way through the crowds to toss your coin and make a wish in it. The origins of the fountain go back to the year 19 B.C.

Every traveler comes to make their wish with a coin toss and those coins definitely add up. Each morning, the city of Rome sends maintenance workers to drain it and sweep up the coins so the fountain is refreshed daily.

Pro-Tip: The crowds come in waves and there’s stores around it. Most folks come to do their coin toss and hang out on the steps for a bit. Mornings and evenings are certainly more quiet and the lights are on at night. By around 8-10pm, it gets quiet. I stayed at an Airbnb overlooking the Trevi Fountain, so I saw it at all times of the day. Can you imagine going to sleep to it and waking up to it? Here’s my room tour video!

trevi fountain night
trevi fountain night
trevi fountain from my AirBnb
trevi fountain from my AirBnb. Can you believe this is my view?!

17. Santissimo Nome di Maria Foro Traiano

The Santissimo Nome di Maria Foro Traiano church in Rome is one of the most beautiful churches in the world. The church stands on a site that has been used for Christian worship since the 3rd century CE, when Emperor Constantine erected a memorial to his mother, Saint Helena. The present church was consecrated on July 15, 1854.

18. Trajan’s Market

Trajan’s Market is an outdoor archaeological complex that currently holds the Museum of Imperial Forums. Built between the years 100 and 110 A.D, it is considered to be Rome’s first “shopping center”. The complex had six levels in which there were up to 150 different shops and apartments. Today, it’s sprawling ruins that look like crumbles; it’s not as you might expect. It’s near the Colloseum  so you can tackle them at the same time. I visited at night when it was glowing with lights and quiet, except for a street musician playing.

19. Colosseum

The first time I visited Rome, the Colosseum was on my #1 list of highlights. Taking in the epic stadium arena where there were once gladiator matches and horse chariots was truly breathtaking. ironically, this time around, I actually forgot it existed and missed seeing it.  It’s one of the historical sights where you want to visit it again and I was just too absorbed in seeing everything else, I quite forgot.

20. Trastevere neighborhood Rome

If you want to get away from all of the touristy attractions of Rome to experience something more authentic, head over to Trastevere, one of the oldest neighborhoods in Rome. This is a residential district with an old-world charm of winding alleyways lined with hidden shops and restaurants. There’s also a lively market on Saturdays. This is something I discovered only after I left Rome, so I’m saving this for my next visit!

It’s located on the west side of the Tiber River, and it was established by Emperor Augustus as one of his new settlements. It has a rich history, and it is a popular tourist destination for people visiting Rome.

21. Take a Guided Tour of Rome

I recommend hiring a local guide or booking a Rome day tour.   I enjoyed exploring and learning to find my own way around the city, but I also enjoyed a guided walking tour.

There are free walking tours in Rome that are led by volunteers.  Although these walking tours are free, technically, it is expected that you make a donation or tip your volunteer guide for their time and efforts. I usually tip around 20% the cost of a tour. The cost of a paid guided walking tour costs much more.

Pro-Tip: If you are looking for other options for walking tours, I’d check out GetyourGuide or Viator. Having a knowledgeable local expert guiding you will make your understanding Rome historical attractions much more meaningful, interactive and efficient.

22. Best Things to Do in Rome at Night?

Rome is a city with a rich history and culture and what I loved about it is that many of its top attractions are open at night too.  As a female solo traveler, walking down the cobbled streets of the city and its open air attractions you naturally stumble upon great restaurants, cafes and nightlife vibes. I continued some of my attraction sightseeing at night, like Trajan Market. I even came across a night market in the side streets near the Trevi Fountain. At night, Rome is lit beautifully.

rome travel tips christmas tree

23. Where to Eat in Rome Tips

Seeking out restaurants can be a little stressful for me and finding a restaurant that offers options for a vegetarian-pescatarian diet on a budget can occasionally be hit or miss. I did find a couple of restaurants and fast food joints – you’ll find them in my video. Otherwise, I spend an excessive amount of time reading restaurant menus and hem and hawing, so here’s a few survival tips I deferred to:

  • Take a Rome street food tour with a local food expert and you’ll get a city walking tour of sampling a smattering of pizza, gelato, cured meats and more! Highly recommend this especially if you have a special diet. I like doing food tours, because I have a local guide who will request options for me and teach you how to order.
  • Take a cooking class. A highlight of my Rome trip, I took a Airbnb Experience cooking class with Nonna which took me to a medieval village of Palombara Sabina to learn pasta making with an Italian grandma. You can find cooking tours on Airbnb Experiences and Getyourguide
  • Grocery shop at PAM Local. To stay on a budget in Italy, I occasionally like to find a Pam grocery store. These are the size of a convenience store but it has produce and food items that Italians shop for their household tables. Buying a pre-packaged salad, yogurts and microwaveable Italian foods has been fun for me and they are budget-friendly.
pasta making class with nonna nerina
me pasta making with nonna nerina in palombara sabina
Watch my full pasta making experience with my Italian nonna in the Palombara Sabina countryside!

This was a remarkable and memorable cooking class. I actually got to learn from four Italian nonnas with Nerina and in a medieval countryside village right outside Rome!

 

24. Hop over the bridge for a day trip to Vatican City

A day trip to Vatican City is an absolute must for any Rome itinerary. Although, I visited Vatican City in the past, I wanted to see if anything had changed. I made time to incorporate it into my walking day tour.

This independent country nestled within the heart of the city offers a unique blend of history, art, and spirituality. No visa is required for most nationalities, and it’s easily gotten to by foot, public transportation, or Uber. Although once you enter the city, vehicle access is prohibited.

For a half-day visit, prioritize St. Peter’s Basilica  (seeing Michelangelo’s Pietà in real life made me cry… twice!) and then soak in St. Peter’s Square with its iconic colonnade.

If you have a full day, delve deeper into the Vatican Museums, including the Sistine Chapel which houses Michelangelo frescoes. The Vatican Gardens make a peaceful escape from the crowds too.

Tip: The queues to get into St. Peter’s Basilica were many and long!

Read my Vatican City half day guide

Watch me explore Vatican City as a Solo Female Traveler

In this Rome and Vatican City trip video towards the end of the day, I explore Vatican City. You can do it all on foot and alone!

Entering Vatican City
Entering Vatican City on foot

rome tips vatican pieta st peters basilica

25. How long should I spend in Rome?

I loved Rome, so I recommend spending at least three to five days to enjoy it leisurely. Although you might be able to knock of a lot with a day tour, you’ll want to explore some of it at your leisure and remember, the Vatican City is walking distance from Rome as well.  Vatican City will take least a half day to a full day, depending upon what you want to see.

Pro-Tip:  I recommend getting an Airalo E-Sim. Having a data plan upon arrival to make last-minute plans navigate the city, and Uber makes a world of difference.

rome tips making friends
rome tips making friends with Alvin who shares pickpocket insight

26. Safety Tips for Solo Travelers & 411 on the Rome Pickpocket Scene

The idea of traveling Rome alone initially gave me concerns. I’m a solo traveler with a day pack full of expensive film gear, and I knew that Italy has pickpockets and gypsies… and it’s really bad in Rome! I know I seem kinda tough, but gypsies were one of my big sorta, fears. They’re exactly what I try to prevent and prepare for.

Firstly, one should always use travel street smarts. Crime happens everywhere. I was prepared for this part. Traveling Rome solo for the most part felt safe because there were people on the streets during business hours and at night I saw more police out.

On my first day in Rome, I met Alvin, an expat from the Philipines, who lives and works in the city. I inquired about the pickpockets and he confirmed the following:

  • Pickpockets and gypsies work heavily in and near the metro stations, where there regular waves of crowds bustling through. He mentioned that he’d literally seen pickpockets dump wallets at the trash outside the station after their job was done or he’d witness a pile of wallets by the trash and it was heartbreaking.
  • On trains going to other cities I would still be watchful of my luggage and belongings. The night before traveling, ensure the way you’ll carry your luggage and belongings is organized and pickpocket proof.  Prepare in advance for the day’s activities:  taking out train tickets or fishing for city maps. You don’t want to be rifling through your things at the station or leave any openings for strangers to need to help you other than giving directions.
  • Many dress really nice and sometimes, very elegantly to blend into crowds and look unassuming.
  • They occasionally work in pairs to distract you (either “accidentally bumping” into you or being “overly helpful”) as the other does the stealing.
  • They do not distinguish between tourist or local; they look for anyone, who looks like a good target due to how they’re carrying their valuables and if appear as if they have wealth.
  • Be aware of how you store your valuables. Purses and wallets are easier to pickpocket and they are a target because its no mystery that they store valuables. Recommended: Use anti-theft bags, crossbody bags and fanny belt packs to make theft and pickpocketing more complex for thieves.
  • A backpack is not straightforward and would require work and time digging through to find things.

Spoiler alert: Typically, I mostly rely on public transportation for all my trips, but in Rome, I avoided the metro stations and used Uber for short distances. Another reason why this video and post is a walking tour of Rome!

rome tips beware of pickpockets sign
rome tips beware of pickpockets sign

27. Getting an Italy SIM card

Having a data plan while traveling Italy is helpful for hailing Uber and booking trains, transportation and activities at the last minute. Italian SIM cards are not always sold at the airports in Italy. When I arrived in Italy, I had to wait for operating hours to find a local telecomm shop in Ravenna that sold SIM cards. I brought my passport, waited in a queue with Italians needing help with their data plans and then, I was up and running in 10 minutes. It was a bit of hassle and I didn’t save that much at all. (See my Ravenna travel guide).

I recommend saving time and money by buying an Italy Prepaid SIM cards in advance or eSim to save time hunting down local Sims and plans.  I prefer using Airalo E-Sim because I can activate it before or upon arrival at the airport.  They have a regional plan as well for country hopping travelers.

Where I stayed in Rome

I stayed in an apartment overlooking the Trevi fountain. Unfortunately, I no longer promote Airbnb type places on this blog as many listings are not owned by locals but my management companies using this as a hotel (that was the case of this listing). The repurcussions of these types of lodgings is that it drives up the cost of real estate in a city and pushes locals out. It also upsets the resident neighbors who do not want a new tennant every few days. Please see my responsible tips for ethical travelers.

Best way from Rome Airport to the city

From Fiumicino Airport to Rome there are two options: bus and train. Taking a taxi will cost 50 to 80 Euro.

Buses are outside Terminal 3 and many go to Termini Station in Central Rome. Buses from the airport cost from 5.90 to 7 Euro and can take up to an 1 hour into the city.

Watch my Italy Travel Video Guides for Solo Female Travelers

Support My Channel: If you enjoyed this glimpse into my Italy adventure, please consider supporting my solo female travel YouTube channel on  Paypal. Your support helps me continue filming and editing travel guide videos and sharing my experiences with the world.
things to know rome ota;u
things to know rome ota;u

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