Heart of Rome and other Rome, Italy Things to Do Tips

Trastevere is one of the best part and most typical and caracteristic place to visit. It is particularly known for its nightlife, especially during the summer months, as well as its many excellent resturants and unique small shops. You can also find a lot of bars, pubs and open air shows for the huge quantity of people who always come to visit this area to find some fun! Trastevere also hosts an English movie theater and an English bookstore.
A lot of tourists choose this area for their accommodation in Rome, so they have the possibility to feel like a typical roman living in the heart of the city!

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Directions: Area between Lungo Tevere and Viale Trastevere, below Gianicolo Park

Campo de Fiori, translated literally means "Field of Flowers"; the origin of the name is (I think) because of the market established here, where in the morning you can buy flowers, of course, but not only: food, clothes and other stuff. This ancient square, wich in the center has the statue of Giordano Bruno (given to flames because supposed to be an heretic by the Catholic Church) is in the heart of Rome and has become a popular spot for meeting people. Campo de' Fiori with its small and narrow streets, various vehicle prohibitions and complicated road signs is best seen by putting foot to road and taking a tranquil stroll around. In the night hours, it's one of the best places to relax and socialise! There are many pubs, bars and restaurants and the habit is to crab a glass (plastic) of beer and standing out of the bar chatting with other people.

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Directions: Campo de' Fiori is located in the heart of the Centro Storico, the historic centre of Rome, close to the Jewish Ghetto and Piazza Navona. The Vatican is close too, just across the river in fact.

The Fontana di Trevi or Trevi Fountain is the most famous and arguably the most beautiful fountain in all of Rome. This impressive monument dominates the small Trevi square located in the Quirinale district.
The central figure of the fountain is Neptune, god of the sea. On the left hand side of Neptune is a statue representing Abundance, the statue on the right represents Salubrity. The water at the bottom of the fountain represents the sea.
From the past and untill now, the water arrives here taken by the old roman acqueduct and the quality of water is still the same: you could drink it!
Legend has it you will return to Rome if you throw a coin into the water. You should toss it over your shoulder with your back to the fountain!

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Address: Trevi's Square
Directions: The monument is located in the center of Town, between Venezia Square and Popolo Square, just in front of Colonna Square

There are no many words to describe S. Peter Church, the place where thousands of people come every day to visit the house of Christianity, this magnificent and impressive work made by a lot of artists and engineers during the ages, such as Bernini, Bramante and Michelangelo. Think that the first church was completed around 349 and the last version of the basilic was finished in the 1262! In Rome we have a way to say, when you are very slow to finish a work: "it's seem like S.Peter site!"

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Address: St. Peter Square, Via della Conciliazione
Directions: St. Peter's is located in Vatican state, across the river Tiber, west of Rome's center. Vatican State is completely surrounded by the city of Rome.

The Piazza di Spagna is one of the most popular meeting places in Rome. It is also one of the most visually pleasing squares. The combination of a monumental staircase, an obelisk and a rosy church draw photographers to the square.
The Trinità dei Monti is a beautiful French church located on a hill overlooking the small piazza della Trinità dei Monti. From this square, you have an nice view over Rome.
The church is connected to the Piazza di Spagna via a long staircase, known as the Scalinata della Trinità dei Monti or Spanish Steps.

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Address: Piazza di Spagna (Spain Square)
Directions: From People Square to Via del Tritone

The Colosseum is probably the most impressive building of the Roman empire. Originally known as the Flavian Amphitheater, it was the largest building of the era. The monumental structure has fallen into ruins, but even today it is an imposing and beautiful sight. You can see the Colosseum arriving from Piazza Venezia passing through the Roman Forum.
I think it is one of the main symbols of Rome and Italy as well.
Around the monument (that of course you can visit inside) you have the opportunity to meet some people dressed like the centurions or gladiators available for taking picture with you (by paying...).

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Directions: From Piazza Venezia through Forum Romanum

Piazza Navona is one of the most famous and arguably the most beautiful of the wide range of Rome's squares. In the square you have three magnificent fountains and an obelisque.
It is one of Rome's liveliest squares, with many outdoor cafes, restaurants and night clubs in the neighborhood.
The square is also famous for the number of street artists that come here to draw some portrait or caricature of the crowd of tourists who everyday visit this place.
Do you know that Picasso started to sell paintings here in Piazza Navona?
In the summer season it's an awesome sensation to come here to admire the beauty of this place.

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Directions: The Piazza Navona is situated in the historic center of Rome, between Corso Vittorio and Castel Sant'Angelo, west of the Pantheon. (see the map on picture 3)

"La Rotonda" (the rotunda) is the name that roman people have given since Middle Ages to this solid and compact building made by a sphere over a cylinder.
The building, originally erected to be a pagan temple by the ancient romans, was converted into a church in 609. Inside, it is possible to admire the wonderful cupola opened in the centre: the biggest ever built in bricks. From 1520 the Pantheon has become the place where important artists were buried; one name for all: Raffaello.
The Pantheon contains also the tombs of several Italian Kings.
The surroundings of the Pantheon are amazing; in the square in front of the monument, a lot of people use to stay in the numerous bars and restaurants located there.
And Piazza navona is really near, so you can walk from the Pantheon and reach other attractive places!

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Address: Piazza del Pantheon
Directions: City center, between via del Corso and via della Scrofa, north of Largo Torre Argentina (see the map on picture 2)

The Villa Borghese is the largest public park in Rome. The park is located north of the Spanish Steps. Main entrances are at the Piazza del Popolo and the Porta Pinciana at the end of the Via Veneto. The park is a pleasant refuge from the hectic streets in Rome.
Walking through the park you may reach the terrace of Pincio, where you have a beautiful view of the town.
The park also houses the Borghese Museum and Gallery, with some important sculptures of Canova and Bernini and a collection of paintings from several masters including Titian, Rubens and Raphael.
Again, Villa Borghese contains the Modern Art National Museum.
What can I say? Relax and Culture!

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Directions: Entrances from Piazza del Popolo (People Square), Porta Pinciana, Piazzale Flaminio and Viale delle Belle Arti

Festa di Noantri' in mid-July when some of Viale Trastevere and the surrounding streets are blocked to traffic. Filled with stalls, it stays open until the early hours of the morning and culminates with a firework display.

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Address: Viale Trastevere
Directions: Trastevere area