Rome
Everyone knows Rome and many fall in love with Rome. Considered the center of power for centuries, birthplace of Caesar, and home to the Catholic Church When you arrive, it will definitely be easy to see why everyone loves the city- it is pure beauty. Of course there will be crowds, congestion, and tons of tourist. It is the capital of Italy and has architecture you can marvel at for days. It also has a large medieval heritage and was a major world center for the renaissance.
Costs in Rome
- Hostel Prices:You can find camp grounds for 10 Euros per night but hostel prices in the city range from 18 to 25 Euros per night. Private rooms begin at 45 Euros.
- Budget Hotel Prices: Prices start at 50 Euros per night but get much more expensive the more you get into the city center, where a hotel can cost around 80 Euros per night.
- Average Cost of Food: Food costs range the real range here in Italy. It’s easy to have a great (and expensive) Italian meal here but it’s also easy to eat for less than 10 Euros a day. Most restaurant meals with wine will cost around 20 Euros per person. In tourist hot spots, add about 10 Euros to that. Quick eats like pizza, paninis, and light snacks will cost 2-3 Euros. Fast food will cost 7 Euros for a value meal. At all restaurants, add 1 – 2 Euros for the “coperta” (sit down fee).
- Cost of internet: The internet costs 4 Euros per hour though you can find many places with free wi-fi.
- Public transportation Costs: In Rome you can buy several different types of transportation tickets. Biglietto semplice B.I.T. (time integrated ticket) – These must be used within 75 minutes. Price: 1,00 Euro Biglietto giornaliero B.I.G (one-day ticket) – Valid for 24 hours. Price: 4,00 euros. Biglietto per 3 giorni B.T.I (3-days tourist integrated ticket) -Valid for 3 days in a row on any public means. Price: 11,00 Euros. Biglietto settimanale C.I.S. (tourist one-week integrated ticket) – Valid for seven days in a row. Price: 16,00 Euros
Things to Do in Rome
- Vatican City Museums- Vatican city is easy to see, but you could spend at least a half a day there. You couldn’t leave Rome without seeing the home of the Pope and the Vatican, St. Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel, and all of the wonderful museums.
- More Churches- Rome has a ton of churches. Spend a few days looking at the bigger ones. They are filled with great art, sculptures, decorations, and stained glass.
- Ostia Antica- The ruins of the ancient Rome port of Ostia Antica are well worth a visit. It is a huge complex and you can easily spend several hours wandering around the old streets, shops, and houses. You should plan at least a half day for this trip. To get there, take the Metro Line B to Magliana and take the Ostia Lido train from there.
- Pantheon-The Pantheon looks today much like it did nearly 2,000 years ago making it a marvel all in itself. Marble floors, a plethora of history, and by far one of the best preserved building in the world.
- The Colosseum- Even though the lines and tourist can seem endless, The Colosseum, one of the most famous sights in all of Italy is not to be missed. It is nearly 2000 years old and it is the largest amphitheater in the entire Roman Empire.
- The Forum and Palatine Hill- Explore the seat of Ancient Rome and explore the forum where Rome administered it’s empire. Next to it is Palatine Hill, where the Roman aristocracy lived.
- The Spanish Steps- The Spanish Steps is a long and grand staircase in Rome to the Piazza di Spagna at the base. The stairway was built in the 1720s. The Spanish steps are very popular for people to hang out at and people watch. This place is also a popular place for pub crawls too.
- The Trevi Fountain- Probably the most famous fountain the world, the Trevi Fountain is always crowded. It’s especially crowded at night when couples come for their romantic picture. The best time to see this beautiful fountain is before lunch, when the crowds are thin. Don’t forget to throw two coins in (one for love, one to return) while you are!
Budget Tips for Rome
- Stay Outside the City: If you are open to staying on the outskirts of Rome in the countryside you will be able to save money. Food outside of the city is much cheaper as well. You can always take the train into Rome.
- Eating in Rome: When eating in Rome, opt for a good sandwich and pizza places and by the slice options as opposed to touristy restaurant. These will always be more expensive. Also if you walk further from the center, you will stumble across inexpensive restaurants as well.
- Don’t spend a lot of money on museum admissions: There is so much to see just wandering around the city for free don’t waste all your cash or think you have to pay for everything in order to see the beauty of the city.
- Budget Cards: If you are going to see a lot of museums, consider buying one of Rome’s many budget cards such as the Roma Pass, Archeologia card, or the Biglietto 4 Musei (Four Museum Combination Ticket).
